Old Missoula

Missoula Exploding – 6,000 more in last 24 months – 1909

This morning The Missoulian gives, in its news columns, the estimate of Mr. C. X. Thompson of the population of the city of Missoula as indicated by the canvass, now completed, for names to be published in the city directory. This estimate reveals a splendid increase in the population of Missoula; it places us well beyond the twenty-thousand mark. Mr. Thompson has had years of experience in the preparation of directories. His estimate has been made conservatively and he places the population of Missoula at 20,250. In this estimate there should be taken careful cognizance of the difference between a directory canvass and the census enumeration made by the government. The government census credits to a city only those persons who reside within the city limits; the directory canvas includes all persons who receive their mail at the Missoula post office. The total which is shown in the estimate of Mr. Thompson is gratifying; compared with that which was based upon the directory of two years ago, it indicates an increase of more than six thousand in Missoula’s population during the past twenty-four months. It is the rate of increase, quite as much as the total which counts; Missoula is growing and growing fast. And the best part of it is that she will keep on growing; her development has but just begun.

The above article appeared in The Weekly Missoulian on June 4, 1909.

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