Widely considered one of the best cities in Montana, Laurel and its community provide an opportunity to experience life the way it should be. With its friendly downtown, quaint neighborhoods and diverse communities, Laurel has experienced a period of unprecedented building and development, bringing the quality of life to new highs. The city is located on the banks of the majestic Yellowstone River in the center of a wide range of places to visit and activities to enjoy. Simply put, the City of Laurel is a great place to live.
History:
Before Laurel became a city or a community, people passed through the site during the gold rush period, when gold was discovered at the Clarks Fork headwaters. They came by team and wagon, and by small steamer vessels up the Yellowstone River. The government was in the process of planning a railroad to the west coast, and had surveying crews out to map the country on the most direct route. Many of the prospectors that went west in search of gold, felt that gold might be found in other parts of the state, so some returned to the Yellowstone Valley, and others came from the East to settle here. However, this did not take place until after the Custer Massacre in 1876. It was not until 1877 that the white man felt safe in the Yellowstone Valley, after the power of the Sioux was broken. The history of Laurel began when settlers began making their homes in the vicinity in 1879. There was a section house built that served as a depot and post office, situated about where Hobo Hill is, or near the center of the present railroad yards east of Laurel. The railroad pushed closer to Laurel from the east, up the Yellowstone Valley during the summer of 1882. Up to this time, there were about 200 people in the community. With the advent of the railroad, many people came to work, with the population growing to 368 in 1900, 806 in 1910, and 2,338 in 1920. Laurel was originally known as the station of Carlton, however by 1883, its name was changed to Laurel, after a local shrub. Laurel was considered a town in 1906, but it was not until August of 1908 that it became incorporated, and two months later, city government was established with the election of a city council and mayor.
Economy:
Laurel is a railroad town, crisscrossed by several rail lines and by Interstate 94. The "Laurel Yard" is the largest rail yard between Pasco, Washington and St. Paul, Minnesota, and provides work for many of the city's residents. Laurel is also home to a Cenex oil refinery, another major local employer. Downtown Laurel has a historic shopping district, providing jobs in retail and the service sector, while most of the area surrounding Laurel is agricultural. Cenex Harvest States Refinery, Montana Rail Link, Laurel School District 7-70, and Wood's Power Grip comprise the major employers in Laurel. Farming and ranching continue to provide important revenue to the city.
Tourism:
For outdoor excitement, the city offers access to river rafting, fishing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, American Legion baseball games and a public outdoor swimming pool offer great outdoor fun. Head over to Lion's Family Park South Side Pond, which provides fishing access and picnic areas to while away a summer afternoon. Indoor recreation includes a bowling alley, a fitness center, a roller skating rink with arcade games and various family restaurants. Fore! The golfer in the group will enjoy the courses large cottonwood trees lining its fairways. The large greens are rolling, elevated and some are double-tiered. For family fun, Big Splash Waterpark is the city's most popular summer attraction. Big Splash offers plenty of water favorites, and includes seven slides and a "kiddie pool." For more thrills, the Drive-In is another popular attraction. This amusement park consists of several rides used on the carnival, and is also the only drive-in with a roller coaster that wraps around the screen.