MONTANA LEGENDS

Ghost Towns & Mining Camps of

            Montana

There are numerous ghost towns in Montana that provide vivid peeks into the life in the Old West, especially at the many old mining camps located in the "Treasure State." From the time that gold was first discovered in Gold Creek in 1852 to the first major gold rush boom in Bannack in July, 1862, and all the way through today, millions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, zinc and other precious ores have been scoured from the mountains of Montana. Some of the best known mining towns include such places as Virginia City and Nevada City in Alder Gulch; Bannack, where the first gold rush and first territorial capitol were located; Elkhorn and Comet, which continue to display numerous old structures; all the way up to Butte, which is not a ghost town, but has a long mining history.

Along with these many historic sites, legends and tales of outlaw gangs, road agents, ghosts and hidden treasures also abound along with the state's rich history.

Gold was first discovered at Gold Creek in what became

 known as the Pioneer Mining District in 1852. This old

 mining equipment in the creek, as well as numerous

 tailings lining the banks, attest to later dredging to recover

 any precious ore left in the area.

This image available for photographic prints and

 downloads HERE!

Ewing - Carbon County, ghost ranch, in Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area. 

Two of the most photographed buildings in Montana

 include Gillian Hall on the left and the Fraternity hall on

 the right. Both buildings form Montana's smallest state

 park today. July, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

 downloads HERE!

Granite - Montana's Silver Queen - Granite County, mining camp, several buildings, mine and mill. 

Hassel - Broadwater County, mining camp, active mining operation, a few old buildings.

Hecla Mining District - Beaverhead County, remains of several mining camps, including Hecla, Glendale, and Lion Mountain, a few remaining buildings and mining remains.

Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Homestead - Sheridan County, semi-ghost, railroad/agriculture town, less than 50 residents, no active businesses. 

Independence - Park County, mining camp located high in the Absaroka Range, several buildings including an old brothel, mining remains. Requires high clearance vehicle.

Jardine, aka: Bush - Park County, mining remains, old cabins.
 

Kendall - Fergus County, mining remains and a few old structures.

Kirkville - Clark County, just a few remaining buildings, private property.

Laurin - Madison County, not a ghost town, mining camp, several historic buildings.

Lion City - See Hecla Mining District

Marysville - Growing Once Again - Lewis and Clark County, mining camp, current residents, restored, preserved, and tumbling buildings. Mine is being reactivated.

Nevada City - Outdoor History Museum  - Madison County, one time mining camp, collection of original, moved, and recreated buildings.

Pony - Madison County, mining town, semi-ghost, active residents, numerous historic buildings and mining remains

Princeton - Granite County, only a few dwellings occupied by summer residents.

Red Bluff -  Madison County, just a couple of buildings, mining remains to the south.

Rochester - Madison county, mining camp, a few stone buildings and mining remains.

Rimini Lives On - Lewis and Clark County, mining camp, current residents, several historic buildings.

Southern Cross - Deer Lodge County, a few remaining buildings, endangered due to redevelopment.

Vipond/Quartz Hill - Beaverhead County, a few building and mining remains.  

Virginia City - A Lively Ghost Town - Madison County, restored mining camp, active town, numerous historic buildings, caters to tourists.

Zortman - Phillips County, mining camp, mining and building ruins.
 

Cooldige's old school now sits in Elkhorn Creek,

Kathy Weiser, July, 2008.

This image available for photographic prints

 and downloads HERE!

Numerous buildings have been dismantled from other

 Montana areas and have been restored on Nevada City's

 back streets. July, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

 downloads HERE!

Take nothing but photos - leave nothing  but footprints - break nothing but silence - kill nothing but time.

--Explorer's Code

Book your lodging right HERE online!

  From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Discoveries America Montana DVD - Montana is a vast piece of Western real estate draped across the continental divide. An outdoor paradise of wildlife, recreational opportunities and more miles of wild trout streams here than anywhere in the Lower 48. Glacier National Park includes a spectacular journey along the Going to the Sun Highway, wildlife encounters and a night at the historic Many Glacier Hotel where singer/storyteller David Walburn performs. More ...