| Official Name: | Polebridge, Montana |
| Settlement Type: | Census-Designated Place |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Montana |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Flathead |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 0.31 |
| Area Land Km2: | 0.30 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.00 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 0.12 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 0.12 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Population As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Total: | 31 |
| Population Density Km2: | 46.25 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 265.3 |
| Timezone: | Mountain Time Zone |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 30-58675 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 789068 |
Polebridge is an unincorporated community in Flathead County, Montana, United States, 35miles northwest of Columbia Falls in the northwestern part of the state. This community was named in 1920 for the log bridge that formerly connected the "inner" North Fork Road in Glacier National Park to the "outer" North Fork Road which leads to Montana Secondary Highway 486, over the North Fork Flathead River.[3] Polebridge is approximatly 22 miles south of the Canada–United States border.[4]
The W.L. Adair General Mercantile Historic District is a National Register of Historic Places-listed historic district in Polebridge. It contains the Polebridge Mercantile, which has been in operation since 1914.[5] The store is open from May through October.[6]
Residents do not have electricity or any form of communication other than mail or media other than newspapers. Candles and whale oil lamps are used for lighting at night. From May through October, the population is just under 100, but during the colder months it falls to the single digits because there are no ways to warm up unless one has a woodstove or coal stove.[6]
In the mid to late 1800s, coal, oil, and mineral exploration made the North Fork area of Montana attractive to settlers resulting in a wagon road along the valley on east side of the North Fork Flathead River and bridge over the river, bringing in more settlers.[7] The unknown and original settlers Polebridge and the surrounding land arrived in the 1890s; However, more arrived after the valley land east of the North Fork Flathead River became Glacier National park in 1910 and settling was no longer allowed there. Among the settlers in Polebridge was an entreprenuer by the name of William 'Bill' L. Adair who aquired a 160 acre plot just outisde of after taking advantage of the United States Homestead Acts. He built a cabin in 1912 that would later become the Northern Lights Saloon, and in 1914, he built a general store, The Polebridge Mercantile or the 'Merc'.[8]
The Merc quickly became a central meeting location for homesteaders scattered within the 900 square mile area of the North Fork Valley as the store provided necessary products and services, including postal services until 2001, and was the only general store in the valley. Three additional buildings were constructed that would become part of the W.L Adair General Mercantile Historical District: the log Ice House (1914), the Log Barn (1917), and the wood frame Machine Shed/Shop (1925). Later, more structures were added to the Polebridge community: four wood frame cabins (1945), a greenhouse (1968), a generator building (1969), a propane tank shelter (1982), and four outhouses (years unknown). In 1983 the District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places after Karen Feather, owner of the Northern Lights Saloon at the time,[9] and Jerry DeSanto, a Polebridge Sub-District Ranger with the NPS, completed the nomintation form.
Another notable historic event involving Polebridge was the Red Bench Fire that almost destroyed the entire community on September 7, 1988. The fire "destroyed 25 homes, the Polebridge Ranger Station, the community's namesake 'pole bridge,' and consumed numerous barns and outbuildings".
Today Polebridge is popular addition to the itineraries of tourists visiting Glacier National Park and the surrounding area because of its historical significance and off-the-grid way of life.
| Total Population | 31 | people | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Density | 265.3 | people per square mile | N/A | |
| Age | 65≤ | years of age | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Sex | 52% Male | N/A | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Race & Ethnicity | 100% White | N/A | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Average Houshold Income | <50k | U.S. Dollars | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Households | 16 | N/A | N/A | |
| Marital Status | 100% Now Married | N/A | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Educational Attainment | 100% High school grad or higher | N/A | at least 10% of the total value | |
| Population with Veteran Status | 51.6% | N/A | at least 10% of the total value |
Polebridge Mercantile is a general store offering a variety of items to purchase including souvenirs, gas and automotive supplies, groceries, cleaning supplies, and more. There is a full deli and bakery inside as well that sells their signature Huckleberry Bear Claw pastry.
Polebridge Outfitters offers summer recreation opportunities. The business rents out electric bikes, paddleboards, single/double kayaks, and the associated safety equipment.
This saloon is a bar and restaurant that offers live music and events in the summer. It is also a wedding venue.[11]
Although the lake is located in Glacier National Park, it is only a 30 minute drive from Polebridge.
According to their website Polebridge Mercantile cabins offers rustic accomodations ranging in price from $59 to $179 per night exculding tax. They offer a choice of four different cabins (in order of largest to smallest): Bowman Cabin, Kintla Cabin, Logging Cabin, and Quartz Cabin.
The North Fork Hostel and Square Peg Ranch offers "quiet and rustic accommodations" in Polebridge. Guests have seven rental options: Square Peg Ranch, Goat Chalet, Klondike Kate's (cabin), Green Zucchini (small homemade trailer), The Hostel (a private family room or a mixed dorm), or Camping and Tipi.[12]