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kMarionnTHOMPTHOMPSONHOO PSONFFALLSLSHot SprinngsSpringsHearteartart ButteKilaBigBigforkSomersLakesideRoRollinsSwan LakeakkD tDaytonElmooBigB g ArmPolsononnDupuyerpConradBynumGHOST TOWNS BradyChoteauMONTANA IS RICH IN HISTORYCondonAugustaFort anhan attanT sinBoulder569CoolidgeRiminiCharter mmondWisdomB434GlendaletotSalmon, IDUlmCascadeSouthwest Montana. From the MeadeAlbertonrton its huge spiralrtoHotel in BannackwithMISSOULAULAstaircase and original wallpaper toGarnetBBonnerthe picturesque Fraternity HallClintonin Elkhorn.LoloAs you walk through the nowtot Kooskia,KbuildingsKooskikia, ID it is easy toemptyimagine cowboys enjoying aVictorgame of cards, miners cominginto town from their claims, CoCorvallisCrvallisfamilies attending churchservices or children rushing forthe school room bell. The pastcomes alive in Southwest DarbyMontana where evidence stillConnerrexists of the rich heritage ofSulathe boom and bust.GREATGREGREATAFFALLSA SALLSVaughnRonanRannDe BorgiaPlainsPPlainnyousPlaces wherecan reachoutandtouchCha oCharloParradisseParadiseRegisSt.augan the past, where history can be felt as youM eMoiesewalk the floorboards of ghost town streetsHODixonSt. IgnatiusSSttiusor step inside dance halls or schoolrooms.SuperiorArleeSSeeleyyExperience the old west at its best inLLakeVirginiaCityBO EMBOZEMEGallatinGatewayENNISBiggSkyyVirginia CityGrant324Glacier National ParkMammoHot stoneYelelllowstone JMonidaYellowstoneNational ParkIDA HHOOtoo IdahoIdaho FaFFalls,llsls, IDto RexburRexburg,e rg, IIDDOldFaithf

GHOST TOWNSBannack State ParkBANNACK STATE PARKBannack was once home to the infamous sheriff, Henry Plummer, and his gang of outlaws. It was alsothe site of the first major gold rush in Montana and home of Montana’s first Territorial Capital. Over 50buildings still stand at Bannack. The Visitor Center is open from May through October. Guided town tours,mill tours, living history, and gold panning are scheduled from Memorial Day through Labor Day. BannackDays, a celebration of pioneer life, takes place on the third weekend in July. The park and campgroundsare open all year. Bannack is located 25 miles southwest of Dillon, just off Highway 278.CHARTER OAK MINE AND MILLThe Charter Oak Mine and Mill was a lode mine and mill active off and on from 1916 to 1955. It is locatednear the Little Blackfoot River south of the community of Elliston. Today you will find standing buildingsas well as the equipment and shelters used for mining and milling. The mine has been stabilized andinterpreted and is open for public visitation, although it is about a mile hike into the mine. Contact theMontana Discovery Foundation for a tour 406-495-3711.COMETThe mine was developed in the 1880s and a large mill was built in 1926. During this period, it is reportedthat Comet had 22 saloons. The town is on private property but is now open to the public. Located approximately 5 miles north of I-15 on High Ore Road between Boulder and Basin.COOLIDGELocated in the east Pioneer Mountains above 7,000 feet, Coolidge was the last silver boomtown inMontana. A narrow-gauge railroad was built to the mine, but the quantity of silver ore did not justify theexpense of the rail line or the huge mill that was built. Reached by a good gravel road at Mono Creekalong the Pioneer Scenic Byway.

GHOST TOWNSGarnet Ghost TownELKHORN STATE PARKRich silver deposits were discovered here in 1870, and the population reached nearly 2,500 inhabitants.Much of the remaining town site is owned by private individuals so be sure to heed the no trespassingsigns. Fraternity Hall and the adjacent Gillian Hall are managed by Montana State Parks. From I-15 takethe Boulder exit, seven miles south on Montana 69, then 11 miles north on country road.FARLINThe boom years for Farlin were 1905 and 1906 when the Indian Queen produced half a million pounds ofcopper. Farlin had its own post office and school. Today a few cabins remain along the Birch Creek roadand the schoolhouse is a short hike up a side gulch. Take the Birch Creek exit between Glen and Dillonand go west six miles.GARNETGold was discovered at the Nancy Hanks Mine in 1898. Garnet’s population boomed to nearly 1,000people but by 1950 the town was deserted. More than 30 buildings have been preserved here. Garnetoffers a Visitor Center, interpretive signs and self-guided trails. I-90 west to Exit 154 for Drummond. Followthe Frontage Road from the west end of Drummond for approximately 10 miles to Bear Gulch Road. Turnonto Bear Gulch Road at the sign for Garnet and proceed 11 miles up the gravel road. Please note thegravel road is not recommended for trailers or motorhomes.

GHOST TOWNSGranite Ghost TownGLENDALE AND CANYON CREEK CHARCOAL KILNSOnce a thriving smelting town, little remains of Glendale today. The old stone Confederated office building,a smelter stack and a few other buildings remain. During the boom period of the 1880s the town boasted apopulation of 2,000. In order to supply charcoal for the smelter the Canyon Creek charcoal kilns were builtabout five miles up Canyon Creek beyond Glendale. Numerous beehive shaped kilns remain. Take theMelrose exit off of I-15 and head west on the Trapper Creek road for five miles to Glendale. To reach thekilns turn right on the Canyon Creek road at Glendale and travel about five miles.GRANITE STATE PARKThis was the richest silver mine on earth, yielding 40 million worth of silver. The shell of the Miners’ UnionHall still stands, as well as few other buildings remaining in poor repair. In the Silver Panic of 1893, and themine shut down. From Philipsburg, follow Galena Road onto Granite Road (less than 4 miles from town).MARYSVILLEWhile driving on Highways 279 from Helena to Lincoln, you will find Marysville tucked away at the footof Mount Belmont. This semi-ghost town shines as an underappreciated gem in Southwest Montana.Marysville boomed as a gold camp in the 1880s and 90s. Great Divide Ski Area is just up the hill, andas you will see, the town is not fully abandoned, but boasts a small community.PONYPony is named after Tecumseh “Pony” Smith, the discoverer of the placer gold deposits in 1867. AlthoughPony has seen better days, this picturesque little town refuses to die. Many old abandoned buildingsremain including the Morris State Bank and the Morris Elling stamp mill. Located six miles southwest ofHarrison on route 283.

GHOST TOWNSVirginia CityRIMINIHistory has it that Rimini was either named after a city in Italy or a drama production that traveled through duringits formative years. Several of Rimini’s old buildings are inhabited today and make up the Rimini community.Southwest of Helena off Highway 12.ROCHESTERThe Watseca gold mine was discovered in 1869 and the town of Rochester sprang up. The Watseca mine wasoperated until the 1980s. A few stone buildings, a wooden head frame, a modern gold mill (now abandoned)and the old cemetery remain. Located about 12 miles from Twin Bridges on the Melrose-Twin Bridges CountyRoad.VIRGINIA AND NEVADA CITIESLocated in Alder Gulch, Virginia and Nevada Cities are a popular draw during the summer months. NevadaCity is a town-sized open-air museum (or building zoo) with over 100 buildings from the gold rush era. VirginiaCity was the second Territorial Capital of Montana and stands today as a well preserved glimpse into the pastwith thousands of artifacts, living history every weekend (Memorial Day through Labor Day), and gem mining!

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