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In 1906, the water was gotten
rid of and the mine opened again, employing about 60 men. By 1908, the
workers were treating only mill tailings, which continued on and off again
until 1937. Once the mining began to decline, the railroad service to
Elkhorn was discontinued and in 1931, the tracks were removed. Over the
decades, the Elkhorn Mine produced more than $14 million in silver ore.
The town of
Elkhorn;
however, never truly died, and since the day it began, it has always been
populated, though often very sparsely.
Today, the preserved
Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall are part of the smallest state park in
Montana and
are open for visitors.
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Elkhorn's Main
Street, July, 2008, Kathy Weiser.
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All other properties in the old mining
camp are private and many are occupied. The historic cemetery can also be
viewed, which unfortunately holds the graves of dozens of children who
died in 1888 and 1889 as the result of a harsh winter and diphtheria
epidemic.
Though
Elkhorn is located
just eight miles northwest of Boulder,
Montana, it is 18 miles by road.
From the Boulder exit on I-15, travel south on State Highway 69, about 7
miles, to a well-marked county gravel road. Then turn north and after
crossing the Boulder River, turn right. At all other junctions, keep left
and travel about 11 miles.
Contact Information:
Elkhorn
930 Custer Avenue
West Helena,
Montana 59601
©
Kathy Weiser/Legends
of America, updated July, 2010.
A view above Elkhorn shows mining remnants in
the background and old miners'
cabins that serve as summer homes today.
July, 2008, Kathy Weiser.
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An old building still stands upon this
Elkhorn hill,
July, 2008, Kathy Weiser. |
The unkempt Elkhorn
Cemetery contains the many graves
of those who died of diphtheria in
1888-89. July, 2008,
Kathy Weiser. |
