The Ghost Towns of Montana: Coming Alive Again
Way back in the day, Montana was part of the west’s big mining boom. Once the boom dwindled down, many of Montana’s mining towns lay abandoned for years and years until restoration began in order to draw more tourism to these history-laden communities.
Visit Virginia City and Nevada City to get the feel of true mining towns that thrived one hundred years ago. Beautifully restored, these towns are living museums that offer a wonderful range of activities come summer. Take a guided steam train tour to the H.S. Gilbert Brewery (Montana’s first) where you can revel in the risqué delights of the Brewery Follies, or simply walk around these communities to soak in the authenticity as your boots hit the dirt and your eyes feast on true west charm.
Bannack, Montana’s original state capital, should be another must on your go-see list. This is the site of the first gold strike in the west and is now a world-class state park. Take a Ghost Walk tour on October 26 or 27 to have a pre-Halloween outing that will leave you quaking in your jeans.
Another important landmark is Lauren, where you can see the rope mark on the makeshift gallows at Hangman’s Tree, just outside the town. This is the site where twenty four of the area’s most notorious criminals were hung by the locals on January 14, 1864. Take a shot of the site for a great photo to show your friends back home. The west doesn’t get any more authentic than this!
Related posts:
- Montana State Parks: Sluice Boxes State Park
- Virginia City, Montana Vacations
- Montana Historic Hotels: Central Montana
- Dillon, Montana Vacations
Am trying to locate a town that was called Egan. It was located in Flathead county, probably Missoula county back then in the mid to late 1800′s. I am trying to find it’s exact location and anything possible about it and the people who lived there. Thanks to anyone who can help!