Ghost Towns Galore!
Enjoy YOUR Tour
Ghost Towns Galore!
Enjoy YOUR Tour
On winding dirt roads all around Philipsburg, the remnants of towns from days gone by are well worth exploring (a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended). Explore the in-depth history of the Philipsburg area ghost towns at the Granite County Museum that houses the Ghost Town Hall of Fame. Be sure to visit the museum for more information, books, & maps showing the heritage of mining in our area.
Each ghost town listed here contains GPS coordinates and detailed directions to get you to just the right spot to explore. The ghost towns that are managed have links to websites and contact information to satisfy your curiosity and answer your questions. On this page you'll find information that guides you to Granite Ghost Town State Park Garnet Beartown Black Pine Cable & Gold Coin Hall's Crossing Hasmark Tower & Stumptown Henderson Gulch Sunrise Kirkville New Chicago Princeton Red Lion Rumsey Southern Cross Stone Station Bannack Ghost Town State Park Coloma
We've tried to provide as much information as possible to find and chart out YOUR Ghost Town Adventure. These ghost towns are the ones nearest Philipsburg. There are lots more across Montana. Most of the ghost towns are not maintained and do not have specific addresses, contacts for information, or regulated business hours. We provide a longitude & latitude map link for each location to help you locate your destination. A few of the ghost towns (Granite, Garnet, Bannack, & Coloma) have links and contact information if you want to know more.
Be sure to visit lots of other sites for information about many of the ghost towns scattered across Montana using "Montana Ghost Towns" in the search engine of your choice. A few of our favorites include Visit Montana's Ghost TownsSouthwest Montana Ghost TownsGhost Towns & History of Montana. These sites have lots of information, interesting stories about Montana's past, and images of ghost towns from all across Montana.
Ghost Towns
Granite Ghost Town State Park
"Montana's Silver Queen"
Only remnants remain of Granite lining a walking trail where saloons, churches, banks, homes of mining residents and mining structures. Established on Granite Mountain in 1884, Granite—“Montana’s Silver Queen”—had its heyday in the early 1890s with a population of over 3000. In 1872, Eli Holland reportedly found a piece of high-grade ruby silver while following a wounded game animal. Eli dug a shallow shaft on the outcropping. The site lay dormant for over 5 years until Charles McLure found a piece of silver ore on the shaft dump and thought the prospect showed promise. He traveled east to St. Louis to obtain capital for exploration and development of the property. The town boasted as many stores and commercial establishments as any other modern Montana city at the time. One of the most famous buildings in Granite was the three-story Miners’ Union Hall that boasted the “finest dance floor in the Northwest,” a billiards parlor and club on the ground floor, office, library, dance floor and auditorium space on the second floor called the “Northwest’s Finest Dance Floor.” Quite often, the auditorium played host to minstrel shows, melodramas, and vaudeville. Amenities of Granite City included a thriving red-light district, 18 saloons, a roller rink, a hospital, five doctors, a school, four churches, several banks, a water system, named streets, and homes for the more than 3,000 inhabitants. There was no cemetery. Undertakers interred all of the bodies in the Philipsburg Cemetery because the solid-rock ground of Granite made it impossible to dig a grave. In 1893, Congress repealed the Sherman Act lowering silver prices. Within 24 hours of the repeal, men and women came down the mountain in search of new homes, leaving their worldly possessions behind them. One year later, only 140 people remained in Granite.
Directions: Travel south at the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg. Continue through the railroad underpass and take the first left. Continue straight ahead for 1 mile. Turn right on the road marked with a white sign reading Granite. Keep on the left road and continue up the road for 4 miles to the outskirts of Granite. (Seasoned explorers recommend that you have a four-wheel drive vehicle.) 347 Granite Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
46°19'01.6"N 113°14'53.5"W Map It! Open Memorial Day thru September 30 Daylight Hours Only (406) 287-3541 OR (406) 224-0833 Park Manager
Granite Ghost Town State Park Cheryl Morris, Park Manager
"Montana's Silver Queen"
Only remnants remain of Granite lining a walking trail where saloons, churches, banks, homes of mining residents and mining structures. Established on Granite Mountain in 1884, Granite—“Montana’s Silver Queen”—had its heyday in the early 1890s with a population of over 3000. In 1872, Eli Holland reportedly found a piece of high-grade ruby silver while following a wounded game animal. Eli dug a shallow shaft on the outcropping. The site lay dormant for over 5 years until Charles McLure found a piece of silver ore on the shaft dump and thought the prospect showed promise. He traveled east to St. Louis to obtain capital for exploration and development of the property. The town boasted as many stores and commercial establishments as any other modern Montana city at the time. One of the most famous buildings in Granite was the three-story Miners’ Union Hall that boasted the “finest dance floor in the Northwest,” a billiards parlor and club on the ground floor, office, library, dance floor and auditorium space on the second floor called the “Northwest’s Finest Dance Floor.” Quite often, the auditorium played host to minstrel shows, melodramas, and vaudeville. Amenities of Granite City included a thriving red-light district, 18 saloons, a roller rink, a hospital, five doctors, a school, four churches, several banks, a water system, named streets, and homes for the more than 3,000 inhabitants. There was no cemetery. Undertakers interred all of the bodies in the Philipsburg Cemetery because the solid-rock ground of Granite made it impossible to dig a grave. In 1893, Congress repealed the Sherman Act lowering silver prices. Within 24 hours of the repeal, men and women came down the mountain in search of new homes, leaving their worldly possessions behind them. One year later, only 140 people remained in Granite.
Directions: Travel south at the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg. Continue through the railroad underpass and take the first left. Continue straight ahead for 1 mile. Turn right on the road marked with a white sign reading Granite. Keep on the left road and continue up the road for 4 miles to the outskirts of Granite. (Seasoned explorers recommend that you have a four-wheel drive vehicle.) 347 Granite Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
46°19'01.6"N 113°14'53.5"W Map It! Open Memorial Day thru September 30 Daylight Hours Only (406) 287-3541 OR (406) 224-0833 Park Manager
Granite Ghost Town State Park Cheryl Morris, Park Manager
Granite Ghost Town State Park Montana's Silver Queen
Garnet Ghost Town
Montana's Best Preserved Ghost Town
Prospectors discovered rich gold-bearing quartz ledges in the Garnet Range as early as 1866. From this motherlode, flows deposited placer gold down Deep Creek, Bear Creek, and the smaller canyons of Bear Gulch. The deposits spanned the 20 miles from the top of the Garnet Range to the banks of the Clark Fork River. The news of the discovery in the Garnet area attracted thousands of placer gold panning miners. Five thousand whites and Asians dug placer in the gulches in 1867. By 1870, fewer than 450 lived in Bear Creek and Deep Gulch. Miners depleted the placer supply by the 1880s. Twenty-five years passed before lode mining was in full production. In 1893, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act renewed interest in the gold mines, previously left in favor of the silver strikes farther south around Philipsburg. In 1895, they built a stamp mill to crush ore at the head of First Chance Gulch. Around this spot grew the town that became Garnet. The nearby area had three hard rock mines—Nancy Hanks, Lead King, and Grant-Hartford. The Nancy Hanks was the best producer, mining about $950,000 from 1897 to 1917. By 1898, nearly a thousand people lived in the area and the town boasted 4 hotels, 4 stores, a butcher shop, candy shop, 2 barbershops, 3 livery stables, Miner’s Union Hall, assay office, resident doctor, and 13 saloons. No evidence exists of a church having ever been present. By 1905, most mines sat abandoned. By 1920, Garnet was a ghost town. In 1934, gold prices were legislated from $16 to $32 per ounce. Old and abandoned claims opened and work began again. During WWII, a lack of dynamite curtailed hard rock mining and miners abandoned Garnet again. A few people built new cabins after the war. Today, the BLM and Garnet Preservation Association manage Garnet jointly.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 to Drummond. Cross under the overpass at Interstate 90 and take the frontage road west towards Missoula. At a distance of about 11 miles, turn north at the “BEAR GULCH/GARNET 10 MILES” sign. Approximately 7.5 miles up Bear Gulch Road is the Cave Gulch Road Junction up China Grade to Garnet. From here, Garnet and the parking lot are 4 miles up Cave Gulch Road. RMG7+PF Garnet, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°49'31.1"N Longitude: 113°20'17.2"W Map It! Year Round 9:30AM to 4:30PM
Access is limited in the winter. Wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road from May 1st through December 15th, depending on snow conditions. Please note that visitors in the spring and fall may want or need to park in the designated parking lots and ski or snowmobile to the town instead of driving on snow-bound roads. In winter, Garnet is only accessible by snowmobile and cross-country ski trip. (406) 329-3914 Garnet Preservation Association
Garnet Preservation Association Garnet ~ Bureau of Land Management
Montana's Best Preserved Ghost Town
Prospectors discovered rich gold-bearing quartz ledges in the Garnet Range as early as 1866. From this motherlode, flows deposited placer gold down Deep Creek, Bear Creek, and the smaller canyons of Bear Gulch. The deposits spanned the 20 miles from the top of the Garnet Range to the banks of the Clark Fork River. The news of the discovery in the Garnet area attracted thousands of placer gold panning miners. Five thousand whites and Asians dug placer in the gulches in 1867. By 1870, fewer than 450 lived in Bear Creek and Deep Gulch. Miners depleted the placer supply by the 1880s. Twenty-five years passed before lode mining was in full production. In 1893, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act renewed interest in the gold mines, previously left in favor of the silver strikes farther south around Philipsburg. In 1895, they built a stamp mill to crush ore at the head of First Chance Gulch. Around this spot grew the town that became Garnet. The nearby area had three hard rock mines—Nancy Hanks, Lead King, and Grant-Hartford. The Nancy Hanks was the best producer, mining about $950,000 from 1897 to 1917. By 1898, nearly a thousand people lived in the area and the town boasted 4 hotels, 4 stores, a butcher shop, candy shop, 2 barbershops, 3 livery stables, Miner’s Union Hall, assay office, resident doctor, and 13 saloons. No evidence exists of a church having ever been present. By 1905, most mines sat abandoned. By 1920, Garnet was a ghost town. In 1934, gold prices were legislated from $16 to $32 per ounce. Old and abandoned claims opened and work began again. During WWII, a lack of dynamite curtailed hard rock mining and miners abandoned Garnet again. A few people built new cabins after the war. Today, the BLM and Garnet Preservation Association manage Garnet jointly.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 to Drummond. Cross under the overpass at Interstate 90 and take the frontage road west towards Missoula. At a distance of about 11 miles, turn north at the “BEAR GULCH/GARNET 10 MILES” sign. Approximately 7.5 miles up Bear Gulch Road is the Cave Gulch Road Junction up China Grade to Garnet. From here, Garnet and the parking lot are 4 miles up Cave Gulch Road. RMG7+PF Garnet, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°49'31.1"N Longitude: 113°20'17.2"W Map It! Year Round 9:30AM to 4:30PM
Access is limited in the winter. Wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road from May 1st through December 15th, depending on snow conditions. Please note that visitors in the spring and fall may want or need to park in the designated parking lots and ski or snowmobile to the town instead of driving on snow-bound roads. In winter, Garnet is only accessible by snowmobile and cross-country ski trip. (406) 329-3914 Garnet Preservation Association
Garnet Preservation Association Garnet ~ Bureau of Land Management
Garnet Ghost Town Montana's Best Preserved Ghost Town
Beartown Ghost Town
Lost to Time
Beartown was a town of considerable size, but now the only evidence of its existence is letters and newspaper articles. It was located at the junction of Deep Gulch and Bear Gulch. In 1867, there were 10 stores, many saloons, and 3 restaurants. The town was dependent upon the placer-deposits of Deep Gulch, Bear Gulch, and the smaller gulches that ran into Bear Gulch. By the 1870s, the placer deposits had played out causing the town to cease to exist.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 for 25.7 miles to the Drummond Frontage Rd/I-90 Frontage Rd. Travel west for 17.1 miles to Bear Gulch Road (look for sign). Beartown was located where the road crosses Deep Creek before China Grade. Travel north to Deep Creek Road. Total travel time & distance from Philipsburg is approximately 1 hour & 43.6 miles. Deep Creek Road Drummond, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°47'35.8"N Longitude: 113°20'24.3"W Map It!
Lost to Time
Beartown was a town of considerable size, but now the only evidence of its existence is letters and newspaper articles. It was located at the junction of Deep Gulch and Bear Gulch. In 1867, there were 10 stores, many saloons, and 3 restaurants. The town was dependent upon the placer-deposits of Deep Gulch, Bear Gulch, and the smaller gulches that ran into Bear Gulch. By the 1870s, the placer deposits had played out causing the town to cease to exist.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 for 25.7 miles to the Drummond Frontage Rd/I-90 Frontage Rd. Travel west for 17.1 miles to Bear Gulch Road (look for sign). Beartown was located where the road crosses Deep Creek before China Grade. Travel north to Deep Creek Road. Total travel time & distance from Philipsburg is approximately 1 hour & 43.6 miles. Deep Creek Road Drummond, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°47'35.8"N Longitude: 113°20'24.3"W Map It!
Beartown Ghost Town Lost to Time
Black Pine Ghost Town
The "Proper" Mining Town
The Black Pine Mining District included of three communities—Black Pine (the site of the mining), Middle Town, and Combination (the site of the milling operation). In its boom days, Black Pine Mining District boasted a population of over 1,500. There was a town proper, miners’ homes in the gulch and scattered buildings near the mill. The Black Pine town proper remained “proper.” Black Pine mine owners opposed having saloons and bawdy houses in the town, so many miners settled on Whiskey Hill about two miles north of town. On Whiskey Hill there were no churches, little law, and little water, but no scarcity of saloons and dance hall girls available to single miners who spent 12 to 14 hours a day underground. The Black Pine mines produced over 2,135,000 ounces of silver and 1,411 ounces of gold between 1881 and 1887. Since the turn of the century, the mines produced another 40,000 tons of ore. In 1889, a fire burned the towers of the district and some of the head frames. Owners rebuilt the operation and were running again by 1891. The falling silver prices in 1897 forced the closing of the mill and mines. A 1959 forest fire and the 1988 Combination Fire ravaged the area. Only a few foundations and the two head frames of the Harper and Lewis shafts remain.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 approximately three miles to Black Pine Road. Turn west and continue for eight miles to the top of the hill. Cross the cattle guard and continue straight ahead on Black Pine Road. Continue another two miles to the top of the ridge. The Black Pine community was located where the road splits in four directions. Take the left road to see the head frames of the Harper Shaft near the road on the left-hand side. Continue downhill and straight ahead a short distance to see the head frame of the Lewis Shaft. Continue on the road downhill to Middle Town, located about one-half mile down the grade. Combination was located on the bottom on Lower Willow Creek itself. Here one can see the old remains of the mill, foundations of dwellings, offices, and mine buildings. The tailings pond (settling pond) can also be observed in a flat area near Willow Creek. County Road 448 Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°26'52.1"N Longitude: 113°21'56.2"W Map It!
The "Proper" Mining Town
The Black Pine Mining District included of three communities—Black Pine (the site of the mining), Middle Town, and Combination (the site of the milling operation). In its boom days, Black Pine Mining District boasted a population of over 1,500. There was a town proper, miners’ homes in the gulch and scattered buildings near the mill. The Black Pine town proper remained “proper.” Black Pine mine owners opposed having saloons and bawdy houses in the town, so many miners settled on Whiskey Hill about two miles north of town. On Whiskey Hill there were no churches, little law, and little water, but no scarcity of saloons and dance hall girls available to single miners who spent 12 to 14 hours a day underground. The Black Pine mines produced over 2,135,000 ounces of silver and 1,411 ounces of gold between 1881 and 1887. Since the turn of the century, the mines produced another 40,000 tons of ore. In 1889, a fire burned the towers of the district and some of the head frames. Owners rebuilt the operation and were running again by 1891. The falling silver prices in 1897 forced the closing of the mill and mines. A 1959 forest fire and the 1988 Combination Fire ravaged the area. Only a few foundations and the two head frames of the Harper and Lewis shafts remain.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on MT1 approximately three miles to Black Pine Road. Turn west and continue for eight miles to the top of the hill. Cross the cattle guard and continue straight ahead on Black Pine Road. Continue another two miles to the top of the ridge. The Black Pine community was located where the road splits in four directions. Take the left road to see the head frames of the Harper Shaft near the road on the left-hand side. Continue downhill and straight ahead a short distance to see the head frame of the Lewis Shaft. Continue on the road downhill to Middle Town, located about one-half mile down the grade. Combination was located on the bottom on Lower Willow Creek itself. Here one can see the old remains of the mill, foundations of dwellings, offices, and mine buildings. The tailings pond (settling pond) can also be observed in a flat area near Willow Creek. County Road 448 Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°26'52.1"N Longitude: 113°21'56.2"W Map It!
Black Pine Ghost Town The "Proper" Mining Town
Cable & Gold Coin Ghost Town
Trans-Atlantic Cable Tribute Town
Situated off the Montana Highway 1, the Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, in Montana is the old mining camp of Cable and the Gold Coin Mill. The settlement began when three prospectors made camp here in 1867. When the miners awoke the following day, their horses were gone. As they searched for them, they found a large quartz pillar loaded with gold. They sunk a shaft that nicked a gold-rich quartz vein at a very shallow depth. Miners filed claims in 1866. The mine was named the Atlantic Cable Lode as a tribute to the laying of the Trans-Atlantic cable. The camp that grew up around it took on the name Cable. Many Philipsburg early settlers moved from Cable. In 1868, the Atlantic Cable Lode began to show profitable ore and a forty-ton processing mill was constructed. A severe cave-in caused a temporary shutdown in 1869. A second strike of gold-rich ore revived the community in 1873. The vein soon played out and by 1878 the population was down to a total of one. Helena financiers further developed the mine. After numerous disagreements between the three miners, operations were ceased a decade later and the property sold. The new owners began operations again in 1883. There was a third strike in 1888 and Cable was a boomtown again through 1891. In 1898, the Gold Coin Lode was discovered, producing some $200,000 in gold over the next decade. In 1906, the Gold Coin Mill was built. The mine and mill operated sporadically until 1940. Workers mined approximately three million dollars in gold in the area until 1940 when all work stopped. The mine closed and the town became a ghost. The mill and several area buildings remained on private property and were closed to visitors due to vandalism. It is located along Montana Highway 1 between Georgetown Lake and Anaconda west of Silver Lake. Private owners tore down the mill. Few traces are left of the mining & milling operation.
Directions: From Philipsburg, travel south on Montana Highway 1 for approximately 15 miles. Prior to reaching Silver Lake, approximately 300 yards to the north are the remnants of Cable Mine perched on the west hillside—all but gone now. Gold Coin Lane Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°10'30"N Longitude: 113°14'40"W Map It!
Trans-Atlantic Cable Tribute Town
Situated off the Montana Highway 1, the Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, in Montana is the old mining camp of Cable and the Gold Coin Mill. The settlement began when three prospectors made camp here in 1867. When the miners awoke the following day, their horses were gone. As they searched for them, they found a large quartz pillar loaded with gold. They sunk a shaft that nicked a gold-rich quartz vein at a very shallow depth. Miners filed claims in 1866. The mine was named the Atlantic Cable Lode as a tribute to the laying of the Trans-Atlantic cable. The camp that grew up around it took on the name Cable. Many Philipsburg early settlers moved from Cable. In 1868, the Atlantic Cable Lode began to show profitable ore and a forty-ton processing mill was constructed. A severe cave-in caused a temporary shutdown in 1869. A second strike of gold-rich ore revived the community in 1873. The vein soon played out and by 1878 the population was down to a total of one. Helena financiers further developed the mine. After numerous disagreements between the three miners, operations were ceased a decade later and the property sold. The new owners began operations again in 1883. There was a third strike in 1888 and Cable was a boomtown again through 1891. In 1898, the Gold Coin Lode was discovered, producing some $200,000 in gold over the next decade. In 1906, the Gold Coin Mill was built. The mine and mill operated sporadically until 1940. Workers mined approximately three million dollars in gold in the area until 1940 when all work stopped. The mine closed and the town became a ghost. The mill and several area buildings remained on private property and were closed to visitors due to vandalism. It is located along Montana Highway 1 between Georgetown Lake and Anaconda west of Silver Lake. Private owners tore down the mill. Few traces are left of the mining & milling operation.
Directions: From Philipsburg, travel south on Montana Highway 1 for approximately 15 miles. Prior to reaching Silver Lake, approximately 300 yards to the north are the remnants of Cable Mine perched on the west hillside—all but gone now. Gold Coin Lane Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°10'30"N Longitude: 113°14'40"W Map It!
Cable & Gold Coin Ghost Town Trans-Atlantic Cable Tribute Town
Hall's Crossing
Still Up & Running
Hall, originally called Hall’s Crossing, formed around the rail spur built by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1877. Northern Pacific acquired the right-of-way from Henry Hall. The Northern Pacific ran its spur line from Drummond to Philipsburg through the middle of the valley making Hall the halfway stop between the larger towns. In 1910, there were two stores, a telephone exchange, two hotels, a butcher shop, creamery, and candy store. The former Granite County Bank building now serves as the Hall Post Office. The bank moved to Philipsburg in 1925. Hogan’s Store still stands near the railroad tracks and a lone grain elevator stands along the old railroad corridor. The era of the one- or two- room schoolhouse is not over in rural Montana. The historic brick school built circa 1920 continues to serve local children today. The school has only a few teachers and two classrooms for twenty-one students in kindergarten thru eighth grade.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1, the Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, approximately 19.3 miles to the intersection of Montana Highway 1 & Main Street of the community. 101 Main Street Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°35'7.692"N Longitude: 113°11'44.016"W Map It!
Still Up & Running
Hall, originally called Hall’s Crossing, formed around the rail spur built by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1877. Northern Pacific acquired the right-of-way from Henry Hall. The Northern Pacific ran its spur line from Drummond to Philipsburg through the middle of the valley making Hall the halfway stop between the larger towns. In 1910, there were two stores, a telephone exchange, two hotels, a butcher shop, creamery, and candy store. The former Granite County Bank building now serves as the Hall Post Office. The bank moved to Philipsburg in 1925. Hogan’s Store still stands near the railroad tracks and a lone grain elevator stands along the old railroad corridor. The era of the one- or two- room schoolhouse is not over in rural Montana. The historic brick school built circa 1920 continues to serve local children today. The school has only a few teachers and two classrooms for twenty-one students in kindergarten thru eighth grade.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1, the Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, approximately 19.3 miles to the intersection of Montana Highway 1 & Main Street of the community. 101 Main Street Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°35'7.692"N Longitude: 113°11'44.016"W Map It!
Hall's Crossing Still Up & Running
Hasmark Ghost Town
Milling Camp of the Bi-Metallic Mining Company
Hasmark grew up around a mill built by the Bi-Metallic Mining Company. The town was located up Frost Creek Gulch and built before 1870. The mill was located where the Algonquin Mine is now. In 1880, the town had a peak population of about 90 people. Present attractions include five old cabins in various stages of disrepair, foundations of several other dwellings, and a larger log structure.
Directions: Travel east on Broadway Street in Philipsburg and turn right onto South Montgomery Street. Continue on the main traveled road south and follow the road as it curves to the east. This road above Philipsburg travels up Camp Creek Gulch. At a distance of about 1/4 mile, the evidence of the mining district becomes visible. Continue to a fork in the road. Take the right hand side of the fork in the road. Follow the road to the Trout Creek area. The road from here leads to the Algonquin Gulch area. Travel should only be attempted with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Algonquin Mine and the ghost town of Hasmark are located in the Algonquin Mine area. Near Stumptown Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°19'40"N Longitude: 113°15'51"W Map It!
Milling Camp of the Bi-Metallic Mining Company
Hasmark grew up around a mill built by the Bi-Metallic Mining Company. The town was located up Frost Creek Gulch and built before 1870. The mill was located where the Algonquin Mine is now. In 1880, the town had a peak population of about 90 people. Present attractions include five old cabins in various stages of disrepair, foundations of several other dwellings, and a larger log structure.
Directions: Travel east on Broadway Street in Philipsburg and turn right onto South Montgomery Street. Continue on the main traveled road south and follow the road as it curves to the east. This road above Philipsburg travels up Camp Creek Gulch. At a distance of about 1/4 mile, the evidence of the mining district becomes visible. Continue to a fork in the road. Take the right hand side of the fork in the road. Follow the road to the Trout Creek area. The road from here leads to the Algonquin Gulch area. Travel should only be attempted with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Algonquin Mine and the ghost town of Hasmark are located in the Algonquin Mine area. Near Stumptown Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°19'40"N Longitude: 113°15'51"W Map It!
Hasmark Ghost Town
Tower & Stumptown Ghost Town
Charlemagne Tower Namesake
First named Troutville (likely named after the Speckled Trout Lode), the residents renamed it in 1874 after Charlemagne Tower, a financial backer from Michigan who invested more than a million dollars in developing mines in the area. Tower, Pardee, Nettleton, Ewing and others joined forces to create the North-West Company. The company purchased four mines in the area and erected a 10-stamp silver mill. The town included twenty cabins or so, a boarding house and a warehouse. Tower was occasionally also known as Stumptown or Logtown. Another boom hit during the World War One years when manganese was in high demand. Mining continued until 1968. The population of Tower, possibly reaching hundreds at times, gradually declined. The remains of Tower & Stumptown are some of the most accessible of the Philipsburg mining ghost towns.
Directions: Travel east on Broadway Street in Philipsburg and turn right onto South Montgomery Street. Continue on the main traveled road south and follow Stumptown Road as it curves to the east. Stumptown Road above Philipsburg travels up Camp Creek Gulch. At a distance of about 1/4 mile, the evidence of the mining district becomes visible. Continue to a fork in the road. Take the right hand side of the fork in the road. Follow the road to the Trout Creek area. The road from here to the Algonquin Gulch area should only be attempted with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Algonquin Mine and the ghost town of Hasmark are located in the Algonquin Mine area. Off Stumptown Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°19'48"N Longitude: 113°16'1"W Map It!
Charlemagne Tower Namesake
First named Troutville (likely named after the Speckled Trout Lode), the residents renamed it in 1874 after Charlemagne Tower, a financial backer from Michigan who invested more than a million dollars in developing mines in the area. Tower, Pardee, Nettleton, Ewing and others joined forces to create the North-West Company. The company purchased four mines in the area and erected a 10-stamp silver mill. The town included twenty cabins or so, a boarding house and a warehouse. Tower was occasionally also known as Stumptown or Logtown. Another boom hit during the World War One years when manganese was in high demand. Mining continued until 1968. The population of Tower, possibly reaching hundreds at times, gradually declined. The remains of Tower & Stumptown are some of the most accessible of the Philipsburg mining ghost towns.
Directions: Travel east on Broadway Street in Philipsburg and turn right onto South Montgomery Street. Continue on the main traveled road south and follow Stumptown Road as it curves to the east. Stumptown Road above Philipsburg travels up Camp Creek Gulch. At a distance of about 1/4 mile, the evidence of the mining district becomes visible. Continue to a fork in the road. Take the right hand side of the fork in the road. Follow the road to the Trout Creek area. The road from here to the Algonquin Gulch area should only be attempted with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Algonquin Mine and the ghost town of Hasmark are located in the Algonquin Mine area. Off Stumptown Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°19'48"N Longitude: 113°16'1"W Map It!
Tower & Stumptown Ghost Town Charlemagne Tower Namesake
Henderson Gulch Ghost Town
Remembering the Lost Miners
Henderson Gulch, located on the west side of Montana Highway 1 between Maxville and Hall, was named after the miners who discovered gold there in 1865. An uncle, nephew and unrelated Henderson were called "Big Joe," "Little Joe," and "Young Joe." The first winter was spent digging a ditch from Willow Creek so they would have water to placer mine the following spring. It brought water into Emmetsburg, the principal settlement in Henderson Gulch. The mine produced over $300,000 prior to 1870. It existed along-side Emmettsburg that had a population of 133. The town once boasted homes, a post office, and a stage stop. Miners made their homes in Emmettsburg. Emmetsburg was inhabited from 1865 to about 1878. During this time a number of miners were killed while mining or died of other causes and were buried near the camp. Above the place that is thought to be the town site, James A. Murray, one of the early miners in the area, erected a marble monument in December of 1914 dedicated to seven miners killed in the late 1860s. The beautiful marble obelisk sculpted by Edgar Paxson stands alone in memory of all miners “known and unknown” who died in the mines of Henderson Gulch. It stands overlooking a graveyard that no longer exists in a town that is lost to time. The monument bears the names of the seven miners below a pick and shovel crossed with a gold pan, inscriptions, and dedications. In the 1930s, William and Jake Schneider of Philipsburg ran three hydraulic tungsten dredging operations along Henderson Creek from the mouth to near the head of the gulch. Overrun by the search for gold, silver and tungsten, as well as dam and pond excavations, the rock and rubble buried Emmettsburg. The town completely vanished.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1, the Pinler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, to a point approximately two miles north of Maxville. Look for a stone house on the east side of the road. Turn west on Henderson Creek Road that crosses Flint Creek and takes you directly to Henderson Gulch. The distance from the Stone turnoff is about five miles. Henderson Creek Road Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°30'06.0"N Longitude: 113°15'42.0"W Map It!
Remembering the Lost Miners
Henderson Gulch, located on the west side of Montana Highway 1 between Maxville and Hall, was named after the miners who discovered gold there in 1865. An uncle, nephew and unrelated Henderson were called "Big Joe," "Little Joe," and "Young Joe." The first winter was spent digging a ditch from Willow Creek so they would have water to placer mine the following spring. It brought water into Emmetsburg, the principal settlement in Henderson Gulch. The mine produced over $300,000 prior to 1870. It existed along-side Emmettsburg that had a population of 133. The town once boasted homes, a post office, and a stage stop. Miners made their homes in Emmettsburg. Emmetsburg was inhabited from 1865 to about 1878. During this time a number of miners were killed while mining or died of other causes and were buried near the camp. Above the place that is thought to be the town site, James A. Murray, one of the early miners in the area, erected a marble monument in December of 1914 dedicated to seven miners killed in the late 1860s. The beautiful marble obelisk sculpted by Edgar Paxson stands alone in memory of all miners “known and unknown” who died in the mines of Henderson Gulch. It stands overlooking a graveyard that no longer exists in a town that is lost to time. The monument bears the names of the seven miners below a pick and shovel crossed with a gold pan, inscriptions, and dedications. In the 1930s, William and Jake Schneider of Philipsburg ran three hydraulic tungsten dredging operations along Henderson Creek from the mouth to near the head of the gulch. Overrun by the search for gold, silver and tungsten, as well as dam and pond excavations, the rock and rubble buried Emmettsburg. The town completely vanished.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1, the Pinler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, to a point approximately two miles north of Maxville. Look for a stone house on the east side of the road. Turn west on Henderson Creek Road that crosses Flint Creek and takes you directly to Henderson Gulch. The distance from the Stone turnoff is about five miles. Henderson Creek Road Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°30'06.0"N Longitude: 113°15'42.0"W Map It!
Henderson Gulch Ghost Town Remembering the Lost Miners
Sunrise Ghost Town
Queen Mine of the Henderson Mining District
Sunrise, located in the upper limits of Henderson Gulch, produced copper and gold into the late 1890s. Also known as "Queen Mine," the property was one of the more successful and longest operating of the dozen or so gold mills established in Granite County. It made significant contribution to the economic and social development of the lower Flint Creek Valley. Initial construction began in 1892 with susequent construction continuing through the 1920s. The aging mine structures sit near the bottom of Sunrise Mountain with the mining operations on the face of the steep hillside. The original operation had a 20-stamp mill, cabins, and mine buildings. Some of the structures have withstood the test of time and still stand.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1 to a point approximately two miles past Maxville. Turn west onto Henderson Creek Road County Road 448 that crosses Flint Creek. After approximately 3.3 miles, turn north onto dirt road. Travel another half mile or so and turn right again. Follow road into Sunrise. Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°29'5"N Longitude: 113°19'42"W Map It!
Queen Mine of the Henderson Mining District
Sunrise, located in the upper limits of Henderson Gulch, produced copper and gold into the late 1890s. Also known as "Queen Mine," the property was one of the more successful and longest operating of the dozen or so gold mills established in Granite County. It made significant contribution to the economic and social development of the lower Flint Creek Valley. Initial construction began in 1892 with susequent construction continuing through the 1920s. The aging mine structures sit near the bottom of Sunrise Mountain with the mining operations on the face of the steep hillside. The original operation had a 20-stamp mill, cabins, and mine buildings. Some of the structures have withstood the test of time and still stand.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1 to a point approximately two miles past Maxville. Turn west onto Henderson Creek Road County Road 448 that crosses Flint Creek. After approximately 3.3 miles, turn north onto dirt road. Travel another half mile or so and turn right again. Follow road into Sunrise. Hall, Montana 59837
Latitude: 46°29'5"N Longitude: 113°19'42"W Map It!
Sunrise Ghost Town Queen Mine of the Henderson Mining District
Kirkville Ghost Town
100-Stamp Mill for Montana's Silver Queen
The old company town of Kirkville, later known as Clark, lies along Douglas Creek a mile south of Philipsburg. In 1889, the BiMetallic 50-stamp mill was built because of insufficient water resources to run a larger mill at nearby Granite. Just two years later, 50 more stamps were added to the original structure the mill a 200-ton capacity. The mill was over 360 feet long, 150 feet wide, had two smokestacks, furnaces, chimney flues, and a massive foundation built of cut granite. The mine and mill employed 500 workers. Kirkville was connected to the Blaine Shaft in Granite by a two-mile long tramway. Large buckets could carry 500 pounds of ore down the mountain to Kirkville and carry fuel back up. A 4,307 pound bar of silver bullion from the Bi-Metallic was sent to the World’s Fair at Chicago in 1893. Dropping silver prices meant sure doom for most mining operations. The Bimetallic and Granite Mountain Mining Operations combined in 1898 to form one of the largest silver mines in the world, producing a million dollars of bullion a year. Mill workers settled Kirkville in 1890. At one time, Kirkville was the third largest city in the region. Kirkville was mostly home to local miners and included dwellings, boarding house, rooming house, nearby company residences, an office, a warehouse, a barn, buggy shed, an assay office, and retort building. The owners in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service set fire to the mill in 1967 for safety reasons. The twin chimneys and stone portions of the massive structure survived. The company houses, assay office, retort building and boarding house also remain as a testament to the town’s past. The remains of the structure are both interesting and impressive to view. Private residents inhabit the two company houses today and the brick office is in respectable shape. The barn and buggy shed, the assay office, and the retort building are still standing. The boarding and rooming houses need repair, but still stand. Only the foundations remain where the workers’ dwellings once stood. There is a modern flotation mill owned by the Contract Mining Company. This mill operates from time to time as a processing plant on a contract basis.
Directions: Turn south one block east of the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg onto South Montgomery Street. Continue right onto Railroad Street. At the crossroads of Granite & Railroad Streets & Contract Mill Road, continue onto Contract Mill Road. The company houses and offices are located on the east side of the road. Continue to follow the road; note the barn, warehouse, assay offices, and retort building. Turn on the lower road toward the flotation mill, and pass by and view the ruins of the Bi-Metallic Mill on the left. Contract Mill Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°18'53.1"N Longitude: 113°14'47.9"W Map It!
100-Stamp Mill for Montana's Silver Queen
The old company town of Kirkville, later known as Clark, lies along Douglas Creek a mile south of Philipsburg. In 1889, the BiMetallic 50-stamp mill was built because of insufficient water resources to run a larger mill at nearby Granite. Just two years later, 50 more stamps were added to the original structure the mill a 200-ton capacity. The mill was over 360 feet long, 150 feet wide, had two smokestacks, furnaces, chimney flues, and a massive foundation built of cut granite. The mine and mill employed 500 workers. Kirkville was connected to the Blaine Shaft in Granite by a two-mile long tramway. Large buckets could carry 500 pounds of ore down the mountain to Kirkville and carry fuel back up. A 4,307 pound bar of silver bullion from the Bi-Metallic was sent to the World’s Fair at Chicago in 1893. Dropping silver prices meant sure doom for most mining operations. The Bimetallic and Granite Mountain Mining Operations combined in 1898 to form one of the largest silver mines in the world, producing a million dollars of bullion a year. Mill workers settled Kirkville in 1890. At one time, Kirkville was the third largest city in the region. Kirkville was mostly home to local miners and included dwellings, boarding house, rooming house, nearby company residences, an office, a warehouse, a barn, buggy shed, an assay office, and retort building. The owners in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service set fire to the mill in 1967 for safety reasons. The twin chimneys and stone portions of the massive structure survived. The company houses, assay office, retort building and boarding house also remain as a testament to the town’s past. The remains of the structure are both interesting and impressive to view. Private residents inhabit the two company houses today and the brick office is in respectable shape. The barn and buggy shed, the assay office, and the retort building are still standing. The boarding and rooming houses need repair, but still stand. Only the foundations remain where the workers’ dwellings once stood. There is a modern flotation mill owned by the Contract Mining Company. This mill operates from time to time as a processing plant on a contract basis.
Directions: Turn south one block east of the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg onto South Montgomery Street. Continue right onto Railroad Street. At the crossroads of Granite & Railroad Streets & Contract Mill Road, continue onto Contract Mill Road. The company houses and offices are located on the east side of the road. Continue to follow the road; note the barn, warehouse, assay offices, and retort building. Turn on the lower road toward the flotation mill, and pass by and view the ruins of the Bi-Metallic Mill on the left. Contract Mill Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°18'53.1"N Longitude: 113°14'47.9"W Map It!
Kirkville Ghost Town 100-Stamp Mill for Montana's Silver Queen
New Chicago Ghost Town
A Dream Lost to the Railroad
In 1853, the U.S. Congress appropriated $170,000 for a survey of viable railroad routes in the northern region from the east coast to the west coast. The Granite County Museum displays their collection from this survey in lithography. Major Isaac J. Stevens & Capt. John Mullan received assignment of the task. Later, Capt. Mullan received the assignment to build a wagon road along the route surveyed. The Mullan Trail crossed through Deer Lodge County after crossing the continental divide at Mullan Pass. The trail, a mere dirt track with many miles between towns, required way stations and rest stops for passengers and horses. On July 4, 1872, New Chicago was born. First called West Chicago, the town established itself on the east side of Flint Creek at the junction of Mullan Road and the road to Philipsburg. John A. Featherman built the first building and opened a store. In 1873, D.M. Taylor and Son built the first hotel. In 1874, the town built the schoolhouse at a cost of $1,000. The town had two stores, two saloons, two hotels, several livery stables, a stage station, a church, a blacksmith, a flourmill, U.S. Post Office, telegraph office, and a Wells Fargo office. With the arrival of the railroad tracks to Drummond (Edwardsville) in August of 1883, the hopes and dreams of the residents in New Chicago slowly ceased to exist, as did the town of West Chicago.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1 for approx. 24.2 miles to East Mullan Road. Turn right and travel approximately 1.4 miles across Flint Creek to New Chicago on the south side of the road. East Mullan Road Drummond, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°37′37″N Longitude: 113°08′32″W Map It!
A Dream Lost to the Railroad
In 1853, the U.S. Congress appropriated $170,000 for a survey of viable railroad routes in the northern region from the east coast to the west coast. The Granite County Museum displays their collection from this survey in lithography. Major Isaac J. Stevens & Capt. John Mullan received assignment of the task. Later, Capt. Mullan received the assignment to build a wagon road along the route surveyed. The Mullan Trail crossed through Deer Lodge County after crossing the continental divide at Mullan Pass. The trail, a mere dirt track with many miles between towns, required way stations and rest stops for passengers and horses. On July 4, 1872, New Chicago was born. First called West Chicago, the town established itself on the east side of Flint Creek at the junction of Mullan Road and the road to Philipsburg. John A. Featherman built the first building and opened a store. In 1873, D.M. Taylor and Son built the first hotel. In 1874, the town built the schoolhouse at a cost of $1,000. The town had two stores, two saloons, two hotels, several livery stables, a stage station, a church, a blacksmith, a flourmill, U.S. Post Office, telegraph office, and a Wells Fargo office. With the arrival of the railroad tracks to Drummond (Edwardsville) in August of 1883, the hopes and dreams of the residents in New Chicago slowly ceased to exist, as did the town of West Chicago.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Montana Highway 1 for approx. 24.2 miles to East Mullan Road. Turn right and travel approximately 1.4 miles across Flint Creek to New Chicago on the south side of the road. East Mullan Road Drummond, Montana 59832
Latitude: 46°37′37″N Longitude: 113°08′32″W Map It!
New Chicago Ghost Town A Dream Lost to the Railroad
Princeton Ghost Town
One Man's Dream, One Company's Fortune
Situated at the junction of Princeton Gulch and Boulder Creek Canyon, the Princeton Mine was the first discovery in the Boulder Creek District in 1868. Dick Prince started prospecting this area in 1868—hence the name Princeton. Claims were worked on a small scale for several years. Major mining by the Princeton Mining Company began operations in 1882. producing . The area mines continued to operate intermittently until 1907 with total production retrieving approximately $1.25 million in gold, silver (primarily), lead, and phosphate. The district employed approximately 50 men in its mining operations. The small town that grew around the mining operations became home to a post office, school, hotel, store, and approximately 20 homes. Today, all that is left are a few dwellings, now occupied primarily by summer residents. The old townsite is located about 16 miles northeast of Phillipsburg.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg to Maxville on Montana Highway 1. Turn east on Maxville Road. Travel east 466 feet to Princeton Road, turn right. Continue up Boulder Creek Canyon on Princeton Road. Cross the first bridge over Boulder Creek and drive up the east side of the creek for about 4.6 miles to Princeton on the left. Princeton Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°25'01.0"N Longitude: 113°09'56.0"W Map It!
One Man's Dream, One Company's Fortune
Situated at the junction of Princeton Gulch and Boulder Creek Canyon, the Princeton Mine was the first discovery in the Boulder Creek District in 1868. Dick Prince started prospecting this area in 1868—hence the name Princeton. Claims were worked on a small scale for several years. Major mining by the Princeton Mining Company began operations in 1882. producing . The area mines continued to operate intermittently until 1907 with total production retrieving approximately $1.25 million in gold, silver (primarily), lead, and phosphate. The district employed approximately 50 men in its mining operations. The small town that grew around the mining operations became home to a post office, school, hotel, store, and approximately 20 homes. Today, all that is left are a few dwellings, now occupied primarily by summer residents. The old townsite is located about 16 miles northeast of Phillipsburg.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg to Maxville on Montana Highway 1. Turn east on Maxville Road. Travel east 466 feet to Princeton Road, turn right. Continue up Boulder Creek Canyon on Princeton Road. Cross the first bridge over Boulder Creek and drive up the east side of the creek for about 4.6 miles to Princeton on the left. Princeton Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°25'01.0"N Longitude: 113°09'56.0"W Map It!
Princeton Ghost Town
Red Lion Ghost Town
Not A Lot, But Enough!
The Red Lion Strike was made in 1875. By 1890, the Red Lion Company operated the mine and built a stamp mill at the site in the late 1890s. The mine produced gold from a hard rock vein discovered in 1890. The vein was plentiful enough to run the mill at Red Lion, night and day, for six months. A 3,800 foot tramway was built to connect the mine to the mill. During its active period, the Red Lion Mine had a small production size. The mining operations primarily took place underground, utilizing one known shaft. The maximum subsurface depth reached was approximately 180 feet. The ore extracted consisted mainly of gold, while the waste material included magnetite, quartz, and limonite. The mine played out by 1913. The Red Lion mining camp, run by the Golden Eagle Company, arose in 1906. Settlers built Red Lion on the west slope of Red Lion Mountain at the head of the North Fork of Flint Creek at an altitude of 7,300 feet. At its peak, Red Lion was home to 500 residents—200 employed miners. The years of 1902–1908 were the most productive years in the Red Lion area. The remains of the old tramline and building foundations are still visible. Red Lion is located up the North Fork of Flint Creek. Directions: From Philipsburg, travel south on Montana Highway 1 for approximately 12 miles to the turn off to Discovery Ski Area (Southern Cross Road). Continue about 0.8 miles Echo Lake Road (left at fork) Travel 2 miles on Echo Lake Road to Red Lion Road (right at fork) just past the Cable Campground and continue up the North Fork of Flint Creek on Red Lion Road for about 4.8 miles. The site sits near the curve of the road on the right as it starts up the grade to reach the ridge of the nearby mountains. Red Lion Mine Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°16'11.0"N Longitude: 113°11'32.9"W Map It!
Not A Lot, But Enough!
The Red Lion Strike was made in 1875. By 1890, the Red Lion Company operated the mine and built a stamp mill at the site in the late 1890s. The mine produced gold from a hard rock vein discovered in 1890. The vein was plentiful enough to run the mill at Red Lion, night and day, for six months. A 3,800 foot tramway was built to connect the mine to the mill. During its active period, the Red Lion Mine had a small production size. The mining operations primarily took place underground, utilizing one known shaft. The maximum subsurface depth reached was approximately 180 feet. The ore extracted consisted mainly of gold, while the waste material included magnetite, quartz, and limonite. The mine played out by 1913. The Red Lion mining camp, run by the Golden Eagle Company, arose in 1906. Settlers built Red Lion on the west slope of Red Lion Mountain at the head of the North Fork of Flint Creek at an altitude of 7,300 feet. At its peak, Red Lion was home to 500 residents—200 employed miners. The years of 1902–1908 were the most productive years in the Red Lion area. The remains of the old tramline and building foundations are still visible. Red Lion is located up the North Fork of Flint Creek. Directions: From Philipsburg, travel south on Montana Highway 1 for approximately 12 miles to the turn off to Discovery Ski Area (Southern Cross Road). Continue about 0.8 miles Echo Lake Road (left at fork) Travel 2 miles on Echo Lake Road to Red Lion Road (right at fork) just past the Cable Campground and continue up the North Fork of Flint Creek on Red Lion Road for about 4.8 miles. The site sits near the curve of the road on the right as it starts up the grade to reach the ridge of the nearby mountains. Red Lion Mine Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°16'11.0"N Longitude: 113°11'32.9"W Map It!
Red Lion Ghost Town Not A Lot, But Enough!
Rumsey Ghost Town
Railroad Turnstile & Tram Rides for the Miners
The town began in 1888 on Fred Burr Creek south of Granite with 500 miners, millworkers, & their families calling Rumsey their home within a year. It was named for the President of the Bi-Metallic Mining Company. The community had saloons, hotels, a boarding house, stores, and a school. The Bi-Metallic Mining Company opened a 100-stamp Fraser and Chalmers Mill to keep pace with mine production. Getting silver ore from Granite was difficult. An 8,900-foot gravity tramway was constructed. Heavy steel cables stretched over the crevasse from the top of Granite hill to carry the ore in buckets to the mill. Stories tell of miners taking quick trips home to Rumsey after long hard shifts at Granite in those ore buckets. The railroad constructed an extension from Philipsburg to Rumsey in 1888 that included a turnstile to turn the steam locomotives using horses for the return trip to Philipsburg. The narrow canyon made other means of switching impossible. In 1898, the Granite and Bi-Metallic Mining Companies merged. The Rumsey Mill dismantled down to the roaster bricks. Only the granite foundation, brick hearths, and remnants of the tramway remain. The adit (mine entrance) is still visible.
Directions: Turn south from the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg. Go past the U.S. Forest Service to Highway 1. Turn south towards Anaconda. Turn east at the first road (Rumsey Road-about 1/8 mile on Highway 1). Follow this road for 5 miles and you will pass a sign for Mountain Valley Ranch. The old mill site is located 1/2 mile from this point. It is difficult to see because of man’s activity. 373-321 Rumsey Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°17'31.2"N Longitude: 113°14'59.2"W Map It!
Railroad Turnstile & Tram Rides for the Miners
The town began in 1888 on Fred Burr Creek south of Granite with 500 miners, millworkers, & their families calling Rumsey their home within a year. It was named for the President of the Bi-Metallic Mining Company. The community had saloons, hotels, a boarding house, stores, and a school. The Bi-Metallic Mining Company opened a 100-stamp Fraser and Chalmers Mill to keep pace with mine production. Getting silver ore from Granite was difficult. An 8,900-foot gravity tramway was constructed. Heavy steel cables stretched over the crevasse from the top of Granite hill to carry the ore in buckets to the mill. Stories tell of miners taking quick trips home to Rumsey after long hard shifts at Granite in those ore buckets. The railroad constructed an extension from Philipsburg to Rumsey in 1888 that included a turnstile to turn the steam locomotives using horses for the return trip to Philipsburg. The narrow canyon made other means of switching impossible. In 1898, the Granite and Bi-Metallic Mining Companies merged. The Rumsey Mill dismantled down to the roaster bricks. Only the granite foundation, brick hearths, and remnants of the tramway remain. The adit (mine entrance) is still visible.
Directions: Turn south from the stoplight in downtown Philipsburg. Go past the U.S. Forest Service to Highway 1. Turn south towards Anaconda. Turn east at the first road (Rumsey Road-about 1/8 mile on Highway 1). Follow this road for 5 miles and you will pass a sign for Mountain Valley Ranch. The old mill site is located 1/2 mile from this point. It is difficult to see because of man’s activity. 373-321 Rumsey Road Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°17'31.2"N Longitude: 113°14'59.2"W Map It!
Rumsey Ghost Town Railroad Turnstile & Tram Rides for the Miners
Southern Cross Ghost Town
Music & Memories Still Abound
Southern Cross Ghost Town sits atop Cable Mountain at 7,000 feet overlooking the snow-capped peaks of Montana’s Continental Divide, Georgetown Lake, & the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. The area started when the Southern Cross Lode of gold was first discovered in 1866. The Southern Cross Mine began development in the early 1870s. The ore mined at Southern Cross contained gold in a matrix of iron. Most of the hard rock mining occurred from the 1870s through 1910. The camp that grew up around it took the name of the largest lode. The first ores were hauled by wagon to anaconda for smelting, but in 1907 a new modern mill was built in the camp. Extensive development took place, including constructing a spur railroad line to the mine from Brown’s Siding when the mine was sold to the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in 1910. Though the vast majority of hard rock mining occurred from the 1870s through 1910, it continued periodically for almost 80 years. The Anaconda Copper Mining Company ceased to operate the Southern Cross Mine in 1919. In its heydays, the mining camp boasted about 500 people and numerous buildings, including boarding houses, stores, saunas, dance hall, post office, and school. The district produced more than five million dollars in gold, silver, and copper. In 1965, the Bowman family built St. Timothy’s Chapel in memory of their son. It is a beautiful building located at the beginning of the old town site with a spectacular view of Georgetown Lake. St Timothy's Summer Music Festivals fill the air in memory of loved ones lost. The mining buildings and some of the older houses are still present.
Directions: Travel south from Philipsburg on MT Highway 1 for approximately 12 miles to Southern Cross Road that leads to Discovery Ski Area. Turn north and continue one mile to a three-way split in the road. Take the middle Southern Cross Road to St. Timothy’s Chapel and Southern Cross Ghost Town. 2285 Southern Cross Road Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°12'42.0"N Longitude: 113°14'24.6"W Map It!
Music & Memories Still Abound
Southern Cross Ghost Town sits atop Cable Mountain at 7,000 feet overlooking the snow-capped peaks of Montana’s Continental Divide, Georgetown Lake, & the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. The area started when the Southern Cross Lode of gold was first discovered in 1866. The Southern Cross Mine began development in the early 1870s. The ore mined at Southern Cross contained gold in a matrix of iron. Most of the hard rock mining occurred from the 1870s through 1910. The camp that grew up around it took the name of the largest lode. The first ores were hauled by wagon to anaconda for smelting, but in 1907 a new modern mill was built in the camp. Extensive development took place, including constructing a spur railroad line to the mine from Brown’s Siding when the mine was sold to the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in 1910. Though the vast majority of hard rock mining occurred from the 1870s through 1910, it continued periodically for almost 80 years. The Anaconda Copper Mining Company ceased to operate the Southern Cross Mine in 1919. In its heydays, the mining camp boasted about 500 people and numerous buildings, including boarding houses, stores, saunas, dance hall, post office, and school. The district produced more than five million dollars in gold, silver, and copper. In 1965, the Bowman family built St. Timothy’s Chapel in memory of their son. It is a beautiful building located at the beginning of the old town site with a spectacular view of Georgetown Lake. St Timothy's Summer Music Festivals fill the air in memory of loved ones lost. The mining buildings and some of the older houses are still present.
Directions: Travel south from Philipsburg on MT Highway 1 for approximately 12 miles to Southern Cross Road that leads to Discovery Ski Area. Turn north and continue one mile to a three-way split in the road. Take the middle Southern Cross Road to St. Timothy’s Chapel and Southern Cross Ghost Town. 2285 Southern Cross Road Anaconda, Montana 59711
Latitude: 46°12'42.0"N Longitude: 113°14'24.6"W Map It!
Southern Cross Ghost Town Music & Memories Still Abound
Stone Station Ghost Town
Farm & Ranch Hub of the Late 1800s
In 1865, the Stone Stage Station was established at Henderson Creek and East Mullen Road. By the early 1880s, the stage stop included a post office, school, store, and boarding house. A post office first opened at "Stone Station" on May 5, 1879 with Benjamin Horton as postmaster. After the construction of the Drummond-Philipsburg branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1887, Stone Station was then the site of a rail station and this part of the valley became important for the productivity of its farms and ranches. Much of the hay grown in the Flint Creek Valley was shipped from the valley to markets around the country from here. In 1888, the Wight Ranch built a one-room schoolhouse and townspeople moved to Stone a few years later. It still stands today as a private home. In the 1890s, the school had as many as twenty-eight students in attendance in eight grades. A teacher’s salary was less than $100.00 a month. In 1922, lifetime resident Mary Wight Jensen, taught at the school earning $124.00 a month. The post office name was shortened to "Stone" on June 29, 1899. Edgar Horton served as the first "Stone" postmaster.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Highway 1 approximately two miles past Maxville to Henderson Creek Road. The stone house on the east side of the road, a private residence, is all that remains of Stone Station. 5170 Montana Highway 1 Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°34'51.2"N Longitude: 113°11'58.6"W Map It!
Farm & Ranch Hub of the Late 1800s
In 1865, the Stone Stage Station was established at Henderson Creek and East Mullen Road. By the early 1880s, the stage stop included a post office, school, store, and boarding house. A post office first opened at "Stone Station" on May 5, 1879 with Benjamin Horton as postmaster. After the construction of the Drummond-Philipsburg branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1887, Stone Station was then the site of a rail station and this part of the valley became important for the productivity of its farms and ranches. Much of the hay grown in the Flint Creek Valley was shipped from the valley to markets around the country from here. In 1888, the Wight Ranch built a one-room schoolhouse and townspeople moved to Stone a few years later. It still stands today as a private home. In the 1890s, the school had as many as twenty-eight students in attendance in eight grades. A teacher’s salary was less than $100.00 a month. In 1922, lifetime resident Mary Wight Jensen, taught at the school earning $124.00 a month. The post office name was shortened to "Stone" on June 29, 1899. Edgar Horton served as the first "Stone" postmaster.
Directions: Travel north from Philipsburg on Highway 1 approximately two miles past Maxville to Henderson Creek Road. The stone house on the east side of the road, a private residence, is all that remains of Stone Station. 5170 Montana Highway 1 Philipsburg, Montana 59858
Latitude: 46°34'51.2"N Longitude: 113°11'58.6"W Map It!
Stone Station Ghost Town Farm & Ranch Hub of the Late 1800s
Bannack Ghost Town
From Gold Rush to Ghost Town
Bannack State Park is a National Historic Landmark and the site of Montana's first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862 and became Montana's first territorial capital in 1864. As people began to answer the call of unmined gold, Bannack found itself in the middle of the excitement when gold was discovered and people began to flock toward city limits by the thousands. This strike set off a massive gold rush that swelled Bannack's population to over 3,000 by 1863. It wasn’t long before 10,000 people had settled there, and the city began to take shape and definition from the businesses that began to pop up. There were houses, and there were also blacksmith shops, hotels, a grocery store, a restaurant, a brewery, and four saloons. As people established mining camps at Grasshopper Creek and permanent structures appeared along the main street, Bannack dug in its heels as a symbol of hope and prosperity. As the value of gold steadily dwindled, Bannack's bustling population was slowly lost. Over 50 buildings still line Main Street.
Directions: From Philipsburg, take Montana Highway 1 south, through Anaconda to I-90 east. Take I-15 south from I-90 just before Rocker. Exit I-15 south at Highway 278 (exit #59). Drive west on Highway 278 for 18 miles. Turn south onto the Bannack Bench Road and travel four miles. Park entrance road will be on the left hand side. (Distance: 131 miles / Travel time: 2 hours, 14 minutes) 721 Bannack Rd Dillon, Montana 59725
Latitude: 45°09'43.7"N Longitude: 112°59'55.4"W Map It! Open Daily Year Round
SUMMER HOURS
May 19 thru August 11 8AM to 9PM
SPRING & FALL HOURS
May 3 thru May 17
August 12 thru October 17
8PM to Sunset
WINTER HOURS
October 18 thru April 15 8AM to 5PM (406) 834-3413 OR (855) 922-6768 Reservations
Bannack Ghost Town State Park
From Gold Rush to Ghost Town
Bannack State Park is a National Historic Landmark and the site of Montana's first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862 and became Montana's first territorial capital in 1864. As people began to answer the call of unmined gold, Bannack found itself in the middle of the excitement when gold was discovered and people began to flock toward city limits by the thousands. This strike set off a massive gold rush that swelled Bannack's population to over 3,000 by 1863. It wasn’t long before 10,000 people had settled there, and the city began to take shape and definition from the businesses that began to pop up. There were houses, and there were also blacksmith shops, hotels, a grocery store, a restaurant, a brewery, and four saloons. As people established mining camps at Grasshopper Creek and permanent structures appeared along the main street, Bannack dug in its heels as a symbol of hope and prosperity. As the value of gold steadily dwindled, Bannack's bustling population was slowly lost. Over 50 buildings still line Main Street.
Directions: From Philipsburg, take Montana Highway 1 south, through Anaconda to I-90 east. Take I-15 south from I-90 just before Rocker. Exit I-15 south at Highway 278 (exit #59). Drive west on Highway 278 for 18 miles. Turn south onto the Bannack Bench Road and travel four miles. Park entrance road will be on the left hand side. (Distance: 131 miles / Travel time: 2 hours, 14 minutes) 721 Bannack Rd Dillon, Montana 59725
Latitude: 45°09'43.7"N Longitude: 112°59'55.4"W Map It! Open Daily Year Round
SUMMER HOURS
May 19 thru August 11 8AM to 9PM
SPRING & FALL HOURS
May 3 thru May 17
August 12 thru October 17
8PM to Sunset
WINTER HOURS
October 18 thru April 15 8AM to 5PM (406) 834-3413 OR (855) 922-6768 Reservations
Bannack Ghost Town State Park
Bannack Ghost Town State Park From Gold Rush to Ghost Town
Coloma Ghost Town
Mystery Camp of the Garnet Range
Coloma, MT, also known as the "Mystery Camp", is a ghost town a few miles north of the better known Garnet Ghost Town in the area of the Garnet Range in Missoula County, Montana. Coloma got started in 1865 when prospectors found gold in Bear Gulch and Elk Creek in 1897. This started one of the last large Montana gold rushes. Within weeks, 6,000 people moved into the Garnet Mountain mining districts. After lode deposits at Coloma were discovered, the area really began to boom and was most active at the turn of the century. Eventually, the Coloma area had two mills (10 & 20 stamps) which crushed the ore that was then hauled out to Helena, Butte, or Anaconda to be treated. The largest of the Coloma lodes was the Mammoth Mine, that developed in 1896 and would yield about $200,000 of gold in the next two decades. Though mining efforts continued as late as the 1950s, Coloma had all but died by 1918. All in all, the district produced only about $250,000 in gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Today, there is little left but a few cabins and mining remains. There are still mining shafts, ventilation systems, pumping machines and remains of narrow-gauge railroad tracks present at the site. Coloma is a couple of miles north of Garnet at the end of a trail lined with boulders. The structures are dated by old newspapers and mail in catalog orders from the 1920's and 1930's that were commonly used as insulation in the cabin walls.
Directions: From Philipsburg, take Montana Highway 1 north to I-90. Travel under I-90, turn west onto the Drummond Frontage Road toward Missoula. At a distance of about 11 miles, turn north at the “BEAR GULCH/GARNET 10 MILES” sign. Approximately 7.5 miles up Bear Gulch Road is the Cave Gulch Road Junction. Take Bear Gulch Road through Garnet Ghost Town onto Garnet Main Street headed northwest toward Dublin Gulch Road. Garnet Main Street turns slightly left and becomes Garnet 1st Avenue South at a half mile. Turn right. Turn left onto Garnet Range Road. Travel 2.5 miles, turn right to Coloma. Coloma, Montana
Latitude: 46°50'36.8"N Longitude: 113°22'47.2"W Map It! Open Year Round
Access is limited in Winter. Wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road from May 1st through January 1st, depending on snow conditions.
Mystery Camp of the Garnet Range
Coloma, MT, also known as the "Mystery Camp", is a ghost town a few miles north of the better known Garnet Ghost Town in the area of the Garnet Range in Missoula County, Montana. Coloma got started in 1865 when prospectors found gold in Bear Gulch and Elk Creek in 1897. This started one of the last large Montana gold rushes. Within weeks, 6,000 people moved into the Garnet Mountain mining districts. After lode deposits at Coloma were discovered, the area really began to boom and was most active at the turn of the century. Eventually, the Coloma area had two mills (10 & 20 stamps) which crushed the ore that was then hauled out to Helena, Butte, or Anaconda to be treated. The largest of the Coloma lodes was the Mammoth Mine, that developed in 1896 and would yield about $200,000 of gold in the next two decades. Though mining efforts continued as late as the 1950s, Coloma had all but died by 1918. All in all, the district produced only about $250,000 in gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Today, there is little left but a few cabins and mining remains. There are still mining shafts, ventilation systems, pumping machines and remains of narrow-gauge railroad tracks present at the site. Coloma is a couple of miles north of Garnet at the end of a trail lined with boulders. The structures are dated by old newspapers and mail in catalog orders from the 1920's and 1930's that were commonly used as insulation in the cabin walls.
Directions: From Philipsburg, take Montana Highway 1 north to I-90. Travel under I-90, turn west onto the Drummond Frontage Road toward Missoula. At a distance of about 11 miles, turn north at the “BEAR GULCH/GARNET 10 MILES” sign. Approximately 7.5 miles up Bear Gulch Road is the Cave Gulch Road Junction. Take Bear Gulch Road through Garnet Ghost Town onto Garnet Main Street headed northwest toward Dublin Gulch Road. Garnet Main Street turns slightly left and becomes Garnet 1st Avenue South at a half mile. Turn right. Turn left onto Garnet Range Road. Travel 2.5 miles, turn right to Coloma. Coloma, Montana
Latitude: 46°50'36.8"N Longitude: 113°22'47.2"W Map It! Open Year Round
Access is limited in Winter. Wheeled vehicles are allowed on the road from May 1st through January 1st, depending on snow conditions.
Coloma Ghost Town Mystery Camp of the Garnet Range
"Southwest Montana's Best Motel & RV Park"
For Reservations or More Information
Proprietor: Karyn Byhre
915 W. Broadway
Philipsburg, Montana
Philipsburg, Montana