Ode to 406

Recently, I hit consecutive run day 406, and immediately thought of Montana. Dreaming of a white Christmas, a flood of memories came to mind as I reminisced about what’s been affectionately called The Last Best Place. I ran that day with an extra sense of pride and joy.

One of you, if on a similar run streak journey, may have had your own moment of introspection on day 212, or 303, or 312, or 319…

Why might these numbers spark a feeling of connection, affiliation, or awe...?

Of course, I’m talking about area codes. Numbers that represent specific places…where we’ve traveled, where we’ve lived, or where we are from.

My family and I had the pleasure of living in Bozeman, Montana, from 2017 to 2019. Our first week there, I called a store trying to buy mattresses for a bunk bed. The first store I called didn’t have exactly what I was looking for, so I asked the lady for a recommendation of a store I could call next. She was very kind and gave me a number. It had seven digits. Thrown off by her cadence, I scratched my head and stared at what I had just written down.

“What’s the area code?” I asked.

“406. Like the whole state.” She said.

I paused. “The whole state?” I asked. “Sorry, I’m new here,” I added.

She paused and said, “Yep. The whole state is 406!” I could hear her smile over the phone.

I was a bit blown away. Baffled by this new knowledge, and impressed by the people of Montana whom I continued to meet. As one local editorial wrote, “There’s a pride to this state, centered around the values of open space, low population, strong community, and natural beauty.”

It’s true. That beauty and pride are evident everywhere. I experienced it first-hand…the hikes, the parks, the lakes, huckleberry picking, Town & Country, Wilcoxson’s, Ace Hardware…

Speaking of Ace, our first winter in Montana, I stopped by Owenhouse and purchased a $5 Christmas tree permit tag. While filling out the form, I learned that I could cut down any tree on national forest land. What a deal! Then, like the Griswold family, we trekked up the mountain and through the woods to find the perfect tree. Our frozen eyes were bigger than our living room. Meaning, like Clark, we too picked one that was a little full…but at least I remembered the saw!

In my nostalgic blur of Montana memories, I stumbled into a rabbit hole thinking about area codes. When did they start, and how many states have just one, I wondered? You may be as surprised as I was to learn that there are actually 11 states.

A nationwide network of area codes was created in 1947. The aim was to decrease costs and increase connection times for individuals placing long-distance calls. Before the expansion of area codes, calls were routed to switchboard operators at regional centers that served the local user. The new system made it uniform across the board that the first three digits of a number represent a regional area, the next three digits designate a smaller block (or allotment) within that region, and the last four digits are unique to the user. Each state was allotted numbers based on population density and its proximity to telephone structures within the old system. There were 86 total area codes assigned that first year.

That means that some states had more than one area code from the start, while most had one. And states like Montana are holding on for dear life to keep it that way. Due to more recent and rapid population growth (remember y’all, Yellowstone is just a show), states have area code exhaustion dates, the projected date a new area code will need to be added. The exhaustion date was predicted to be 2019 in Montana, which was later extended to 2033, thanks to efforts by the Public Service Commission to create a more efficient accounting system for distributing available numbers.

In the Great Falls Tribune, Commissioner Bob Lake called the area code a unique part of the state’s heritage. “It’s become such an integral part of our state’s identity that some businesses have built their entire brand around the novelty of our single area code.”

You don’t have to be from a one-code state to see this play out. Brands, bands, beers, bumper stickers, and body art have all used area codes to mark their identity. It’s fascinating how a seemingly boring phone routing number could become a cultural identifier. But it’s totally understandable. If you’ve ever traveled somewhere and swapped phone numbers with someone, and they had the same area code as you…you know the instant connection it can create.

But I’ll admit, I’m biased. I think there is an added allure to the one-code states. Look over the list and see for yourself. How many have you been to?

Alaska: 907

Delaware: 302

Hawaii: 808

Maine: 207

Montana: 406

New Hampshire: 603

North Dakota: 701

Rhode Island: 401

South Dakota: 605

Vermont: 802

Wyoming: 307

States known for their independent spirit and scenic views, as well as their outdoor adventures and national parks…that’s a pretty attractive list of locations if you ask me…

Where I currently live, in Texas, there were originally four area codes; now there are 27! In terms of cultural vibe and state pride…I think, if Texas could have one area code, it would. But we can’t mess with that. As the second most populated state in the U.S., even our list of area codes is bigger here.

While it’s true within regions (512, 713…), Texas, the state, isn’t connected over the common bond of a single area code…we have Buc-ee’s and H-E-B for that. But, even those state icons aren’t only in Texas these days. Which goes to show, it’s hard to pinpoint “one thing” that an entire state can bond over. It certainly isn’t politics or a shared love of the same sports team. I think that’s why it stands out to me that one area code states are so uniquely connected…

As a place changes over time, there will always be mixed feelings around what was, what is, and what’s to come…and where to draw the line. I’m not going to solve that debate here, but it’s worth noting the pride of regular folks all across the country…representing the area code they live in and hold dear.

What’s your favorite area code? 406 might always be mine, but you don’t have to take my word for it. I’ve heard Savannah, Georgia (912) is pretty nice! 😉

May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas…in whatever area code this note finds you in. Let’s rep it well! Hopefully, the reason for the season is something we can all bond over…together.

As Clark Griswold said, “The most enduring traditions of the season are best enjoyed in the warm embrace of kith and kin.”

Merry Chrithmath!

AP

P.s. If all goes to plan…I’m scheduled to celebrate the next single code state on the list, New Hampshire, on April 22, 2026. Consecutive run day 603. Time will tell if the streak will live free or die. The only way to get there is to keep showing up…