Essex is an unincorporated community in Flathead County, Montana, United States.[2] Located in the northwestern part of the state, Essex lies along the Hi-Line railroad line, near Glacier National Park, 31 miles (50 km) southwest of East Glacier and 26 miles (42 km) southeast of West Glacier. Amtrak's Empire Builder makes a flag stop at Essex station, westbound at 7:41 pm and eastbound at 8:55 am. The Izaak Walton Inn hotel is close to the Amtrak station platform. Essex also is home to a small BNSF Railway yard. Historically, it was used to provide coal and water for steam trains, and to station helper units used to push freight trains over Marias Pass. It is still used to base snow-clearing crews in wintertime.

Essex, Montana
Train passing through Essex
Train passing through Essex
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyFlathead
Area
 • Total0.54 sq mi (1.40 km2)
 • Land0.52 sq mi (1.34 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation3,878 ft (1,182 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44
 • Density84.78/sq mi (32.75/km2)
FIPS code30-24700
GNIS feature ID783229[2]
Essex station is served by Amtrak

Named for a county in England, Essex (originally known as Walton) began as a small town on the Great Northern Railway’s main line in 1890.[3]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
202044
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Essex, Montana
  3. ^ Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman; Aarstad, Arguimbau, Baumler, Porsild, Shovers; Montana Historical Society, 2009; page 78
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.

Further reading edit

  • 2005 Empire Builder Magazine
  • Empire Builder Timetable


48°16′41″N 113°36′25″W / 48.278°N 113.607°W / 48.278; -113.607