libby downtown revitalization & streetscape master plan chapter 2 situation assessment june 2005 5 area history and assets is a community of 600 citizens located in northwestern montana 97 miles west kalispell 31 east the idaho border its diverse business base serves larger trade with population about 10 362 earliest inhabitants were kootenai salish indians first european to visit was welsh explorer fur trader david thompson settled 1890s county seat lincoln has rich logging mining outdoor heritage early days bustled industry vermiculite discovered 1881 began 1920s continuing until 1990 while operation mine may have produced 80 world s supply unfortunately recently lost more than 1 000 jobs when several sawmills mines closed due changes markets federal land management policy asbestos found key attractions surrounding include following an extraordinary setting
