Libby, County seat in Lincoln County, Montana.
Libby is a small town in Lincoln County, northwest Montana, sitting along the Kootenai River. The settlement rests between the Purcell Mountains to the north and the Cabinet Mountains to the south at around 2,096 feet (639 meters).
The arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1892 prompted residents to move the settlement downstream. During this relocation, the original name Libbysville was shortened to Libby for simplicity.
The town takes its name from Jake Libby, a pioneer in the timber trade. Today the community serves as a gateway for outdoor recreation in northwest Montana, with residents drawn to the surrounding forests and waterways.
The main area runs along East Spruce Street, where municipal buildings and some shops are located. Most public offices operate on weekdays and provide basic services for visitors and residents alike.
Vermiculite discovered near town in 1919 led to decades of mining activity. The mineral later turned out to contain asbestos, triggering extensive cleanup work by environmental authorities.
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