Village of Chicago, MT

Chicago, as it has been known since the early 1900s, has always had more than its share of of problems. During the early days, before Montana was made a state, and when the town was known as Wolf Run, German missionaries came into conflict with the indigenous Native American population. Where as some populations in the area took to Christianity with gusto, the Matapami resisted with violence and scorn. The first church in the area, built in 1847 was burned down, with the missionaries still inside. St. Alexander's Catholic Church was built upon this site, and it is said the bodies of the original missionaries are entombed below.
During the gold rush of the 1860s, the town was renamed to Chicago by the then mayor, in an effort to increase the number of people migrating to the town. The gold mine, three miles north of the town, was filled with miners, and Chicago was positioned to serve the newly wealthy patrons. The town grew rapidly from the remaining church and a few dwellings, to include a general store, a blacksmith, a few taverns, and even a brothel. A train station was constructed along the railway that ran through the center of town, to allow the rapid movement of people and product. Unfortunately, the gold didn't last, and soon the town dwindled. Some stayed to exploit the rich forest for lumber, however.
A few decades later, another boom of sorts began. The Matapami tribe discovered an oil reserve on their reservation. They rapidly moved to exploit this new source of wealth. The people of Chicago moved as well. They began hunting for oil on their side of the border. A single oil well was established near the Matapami border. Additionally, the a local trucking company was established to move the oil across the hundreds of miles to the nearest refinery. J&L Transport is still in existence today, serving the oil and forestry industries. They are also the only company allowed to transport the oil produced by Matapami, which is a source of conflict to certain parties in the area.
Present day finds the town with few points of interest. Chicago is home to the Wolf Run Regional Museum, exhibiting artifacts from the town's history, as well as a selection of Matapami relics, all housed in a one room schoolhouse, built in 1895. The town is also home to the county sheriff, with their six member police force, one K-9 unit, and supporting staff, the country court house, with its single judge, and the county board building, housing the offices of the 5 board members, the mayor, and the county clerk.
Recently, wealth in the area has been at a premium. Logging in the area is the lowest it has been in decades. A couple loggers have been killed in freak accidents, some heavy equipment has broken down in the woods, and never been found later, and there is now a rumor circulating that the thickest forests on the north side of town are cursed. Profits from oil are dropping, as crude oil prices are still depressed, and the fees from the Matapami are rising. Some have looked into reopening the long retired gold mine, but the first prospecting team sent to evaluate the mine have yet return with a report.

Demographics

94% White, 2% Latino, 1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% African American, and 2% multi-ethnicity

Government

As this town is the only major settlement in the county, accounting for more than 50% of the population, the county board acts as the city council as well. The current mayor is a local business man. Votes for changes to city codes are voted on by the city council on the second Tuesday of the month at the county board building. The mayor have veto power any bills, which can only be bypassed by unanimous agreement of the city counsil, as there needs to be a greater than 80% agreement by the city council.
Changes to county law are voted on by the county board on the second Wednesday of the month. Bills passed by the county board are voted on by the voting population on the Friday prior to the annual Bratwurst festival that occurs every August.

Industry & Trade

J&L Transport handles the majority of shipping going in and out of the town. A lumber mill resides just outside of town, which processes the logging in the area The single oil well is owned and operated by the Chicago Oil Cooperative, with J&L handling the hauling of the crude oil. There is a small machining operation near downtown that employs a few workers An Emu farm resides on the less forested portion on town, just off the highway, on the south end of town. The rest of the commerce in town is in the service sector, including mechanics, two gas stations, a hardware store, a small grocery store, several restaurants, a coffee shop, and numerous family farms around the county.

Type

Town

Population

524

Included Locations

• Jack's Watering Hole
• OASIS Office - Red River County

Characters in Location

• Jack the bar owner