Old mining towns in montana If you’re yearning for a journey back in time, these hidden gems offer a glimpse into Montana’s rich mining heritage amidst breathtaking landscapes. Jun 28, 2018 · Montana ghost towns and why you should see them. My first visit to Butte in the early 2000s is the event that spurred the creation of Western Mining History. Numerous Gold Rush-era buildings have been preserved in Nevada City. Kirkville – Clark County, just a few remaining buildings, private property. Fall, 1889: Montana becomes a state and, with more millionaires per capita than any other American city, Helena becomes the state capital. The town was started in 1901 when Harry Kendall began a cyanide mining mill. . Once the gold disappeared, so did the people, turning the once wild and roaring mining camps into historic ghost towns in Montana. Montana Ghost Towns. Bannack's place in the history of gold mining is secure as it is ranked as one of Montana's most colorful and productive historic gold mining camps. 1856. Nevada City, California ca. The old mining camp is located about 20 miles northwest of Dillon. In the warmer months, it has a Living History event where actors walk the town and reenact past events of the Old West. 14 remain — more than at any fort of the Old Forts Trail. Montana state minerals increased in value and mining towns began to flourish. The mine was relocated in 1875. And by the turn of the century, thriving boomtowns were scattered throughout the state. Recently, I set out on a such a trip to learn more about the history that plays a huge stake in telling Montana’s storied past. The first commercial mine to be established in the area was the North Caroline Mine built in 1884. Aug 5, 2019 · The Lewistown Chamber of Commerce at 408 NE Main (406-535-5436) has free copies of the Ghost Towns & Gold Mines tour. Once a thriving gold-mining town, today it’s an ideal place to explore mining artifacts, walk along its dirt roads, and enjoy a quiet experience steeped in history. Hector Horton first discovered silver in the general area in 1865. This historic town played a crucial role in the state’s early history, serving as the foundation for future settlements. Gold was first discovered near the town in the 1880s but little was done due to lack of water and the right technology to mine the gold. Castle Rock May 27, 2017 · The Castle town is an old mining camp situated to the south of the White Sulphur Springs. [lwptoc hideItems=”1″] The absolute coolest ghost towns in Montana you have to see. Kendall owes its existence to Harry Kendall, a prospector well-versed with the cyanide gold mining process. Bannack, a Montana ghost town. Feb 27, 2023 · Fall, 1864: Gold is struck at Last Chance Gulch, leading to the creation of nearby Helena as another gold town. Other old mining towns have followed similar trajectories. Go north on I-15 to the Birch Creek Exit (#74), and about 7 miles The very much alive ghost town, Virginia City, Montana,is frozen in time. Also See: Montana – Big Sky Country. These are now among the most treasured tourist sites in Montana. In addition to a map on the brochure you’ll find some interesting history about the ghost towns and gold mines. Although records as to total production figures are either non-existent or unreliable, it has been estimated that the Bannack mining district has produced approximately $12,000,000 in gold from Sep 21, 2024 · Kendall Ghost Town: Visit Kendall Ghost Town to see the remains of the old mill, the schoolhouse, and various homes. Butte History Webmaster's note: Butte, Montana is the most historically significant mining town in North America. The town was started in 1882 following the discovery of silver in the area by Hanson Barnes. There was a healthy dose of skepticism in Butte, Mont. While a great number of these towns could be described as typical frontier gold towns, there are some notable exceptions. The town's remote location offers a peaceful setting for exploration. You won’t want to miss these incredible ghost towns in Montana when you are visiting the “Treasure State”–it’s called that for a reason! 1. Mar 4, 2023 · This scenic ghost town offers a sneak peek into Montana’s glorious mining days. During the late 1850s, prospectors struck gold in Montana. By 1864 the town became Montana's first territorial Jardine, aka: Bush – Park County, mining remains, old cabins. When the mining slows, so does the town. It is a remarkably well-preserved Old West Victorian gold mining town just 50 miles west of Yellowstone National Park (90 miles by road). ” For the few wives living in the camp, dances were their only social activity and Oct 24, 2023 · Montana’s Oldest Towns and Cities FAQs 1. Nov 25, 2016 · Kendall, Montana . First settled in 1849, Nevada City is one of the oldest of the Gold Rush towns. What Was the First Town Settled in Montana? The first town settled in Montana was Stevensville. Deer Lodge, founded in 1865, is a town with deep history and several iconic sites that illustrate Montana's past. Laurin – Madison County, not a ghost town, mining camp, several historic buildings. Montana's gold rush started in 1863 at Bannack. Montana Photo May 12, 2021 · The old town boasts an 1883 city hall, 1883 blacksmith building, the 1883 stone school house below where my ancestors went to school, a historic hotel and other buildings that once housed the fraternal lodges of European coal miners. Dec 28, 2024 · An Old Mining Town in Montana Finds New Gold in Film . To really get to know Montana, take a road trip to its old mining camps and ghost towns, places that tell the story of its Wild West gold, silver and copper past, along with their booms and busts. Montana's Ghost Towns Await. Mining ended in 1991 after the area produced about three tons of gold. A ghost town is a town or city which has lost all of its businesses and population. Garnet offers an incredible window into the past. Fort Benton Fort Benton, Montana. ©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025. Although the North Moccasin Mountain regions held gold since the 1800s, mining operations were non-existent due to the difficulty of treating the ore. Coloma Jul 8, 2022 · Other mining towns in Montana that came to life specifically for gold are Garnet and Comet, which soon turned from Montana mining towns to Montana ghost towns. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as a flood, government action, uncontrolled lawlessness, or war. As in most mining towns, Bannack’s population consisted mostly of men, except for saloon girls and “painted ladies. Experience the quiet solitude of Bannack State Park or watch history come alive with a performance at Virginia City and Nevada City. In the autumn of 1872 the Granite mine was discovered by a prospector named Holland. , when Hollywood producers began showing up to shoot their shows. Jun 2, 2022 · Often called "The birthplace of Montana," Fort Benton is one of the oldest towns in Montana, and one of the oldest settlements of the American West. Garnet Ghost Town. Jan 31, 2023 · Located 11 miles down a dirt road and a full 20 miles from nearby Missoula, Garnet was first incorporated as a mining town in the 1890s, although the first miners were thought to be there as early as the 1860s. Dec 23, 2024 · Montana’s Gold Country is a treasure trove of history, brimming with small towns that whisper tales of the old Wild West. Kendall – Fergus County, mining remains, and a few old structures. Now, many say the Feb 20, 2025 · Unfortunately, the town’s story is typical of mining boom towns. The last mining in the area was in the late 1930’s. Lion City – See Hecla Mining District See full list on discoveringmontana. Granite Ghost Town State Park showcases remnants of this once thriving 1890s silver boomtown that bears stark witness to Montana's boom-and-bust mining history. A prosperous mining town, Nevada City became California’s third largest city with over 10,000 residents. These places, once bustling with miners and their families, now stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. Visitors can tour the prison grounds, check out the cell blocks, and discover fascinating tales of the prisoners and prison life. Dec 8, 2024 · The Nevada City Old Town Museum and Music Hall hosts one of the largest displays of artifacts of the Old West and boasts 100 historical buildings to explore. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Next door to the Chamber is the Central Montana Museum with history of the area. 1. Mar 14, 2025 · Montana's Garnet Range hides some of the most fascinating mining towns. A portion of the town was even designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. Let's explore these hidden gems. Garnet Ghost Town is the most well-preserved mining town in the Garnet Range. 1890s: Copper mining becomes more prevalent in Montana than gold mining. com Nov 22, 2024 · Garnet is another ghost town turned state park that remains one of Montana’s best-preserved mining sites. Not anticipating the harsh Montana winter, many came ill-prepared and lacking supplies, creating great hardship for these early pioneers. As the town’s population decreased, concerned local residents worked to preserve Bannack. Distribution of Montana Mining Towns The majority of Montana's historic mining towns are in the southwest part of the state. Visiting one of Montana’s ghost towns is like stepping back in time to the era of gold, saloons and vigilantes. Head southeast towards McLeod on Montana Highway 298 for about 27 miles, then continues on Main Boulder Road and Forest Road 6639 for about 26 miles to the old townsite. Over the years, millions of dollars of gold, silver, copper, zinc and other precio Farlin, Montana Ghost Town . This is an incomplete list of ghost towns in Montana. Today, it is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana and has over 180 buildings, sites, and structures available to view. The Old Montana Prison Complex was in operation from 1871 to 1979 and is among its notable attractions. Kendall is a ghost town located in the North Moccasin Mining District to the north of Lewistown. Jul 5, 2021 · And just as fast as they were created, the towns were quickly abandoned after the mining sites dried up. Montana's ghost towns offer a unique peek into the past. The Beaverhead County Museum Association began purchasing Bannack’s vacant buildings. qijfs tlp fsomo xkfm xehxg gnoabk xgicp wrvv puozube xljr tokwivuu hfbsqf txmi ppco mwjiprtb