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June 8, 2018
Ghost Towns and History of
Montana Newsletter
B a n n a c k , M o n t a n a
Ad from The Columbian (Columbia
Falls, MT) – Aug. 15, 1895
It was late July in 1862 when John White and The Pike’s Peakers discovered
gold in the grasshopper creek near Bannack. That day started a rush that
would last off and on until the 1930’s. The chance to earn a few bucks
brought prospectors and businessmen from all around the area. Bannack’s
story is an intriguing one and the town still entertains visitors since becoming
a state park in
the 1950’s.
Within a year
of discovering
gold, Bannack
was bustling
with a few
thousand residents.
This
prompted the
town to apply
to the U.S.
Government for the name of “Bannock” (neighboring Indians). Washington,
however, made an error and forever changed the name to Bannack with an A.
In 1864, Bannack was named the first Territorial Capital of Montana.
Photos by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y
This was short lived however as it
was moved not long after to Virginia
City. Many people moved, along with
the capital, to Virginia City where
gold was also discovered. Some however
remained to give Bannack a fair
shake.
With gold as pure as 99.5%, Bannack
had a lot to offer. Local men found
entertainment through the saloons and
painted ladies. As the town grew, so
did the main street with 3 hotels, 3
bakeries, 3 blacksmith shops, 2 stables,
a grocery store, a restaurant, a
billiard hall and of course, the 4 saloons.
But,
as the population grew, so did
the violence and bandits. In 1863, Henry Plummer arrived in town and appeared to be the solution to their
problems. The smooth talker was elected sheriff of Bannack just a few months later. It was soon after discovered
that Henry probably didn’t come with the best of intentions. He was accused of being the leader of a
local gang called “The Innocents”. The Innocents were held responsible for over 100 murders in Utah, Idaho
and Montana. The town was divided on Plummer’s guilt but on January 10th of 1864, he was hanged at the
gallows for his crimes by
The Montana Vigilantes;
the new lawmakers in
town. The Vigilantes
continued to reign over
the mining districts for
the next three years.
In 1874, The Bannack
Masonic Lodge was
built. The lodge was
housed upstairs while the
downstairs was used as a
school for the town. In
1875, The Beaverhead
County Courthouse was
built; this would close
for almost 10 years when the county seat was moved to Dillon, Montana. Dr. John Meade reopened the
building as a plush hotel in 1890. Gold production continued to slow down and by the 1930’s, most of the
town’s businesses had closed. In 1940, the school closed due to lack of enrollment. In 1954, The Department
of Fish, Wildlife and Parks saved the deteriorating town and named it a state park. It is still preserved today
with over 60 structures just waiting to be explored…
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P a g e 3
There's not much left of what
used to be.
Although, a part of me holds on
to the days gone by.
The miners in town worked me
hard and long.
But, the silver I produced made
me the queen on high.
The town used to boom but now
there's rarely a flicker.
Still, since the memories live on, I
have no need to cry.
Photo: Granite Ghost TownMontana
Photography
and Poetry by
Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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Hogan School
The Hogan one room schoolhouse was in use from
1895 to 1967. The Hogan family had established
the county’s first rural school in 1887; this later
building served the surrounding ranch kids. It's
located along Montana Highway 78 near the town
of Luther.
Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
Radersburg School
This fine brick schoolhouse was built in 1912, with the distinction of
being Broadwater County School District Number 1. Classes were
held here until 1966 when the school was closed, and the students
road the bus to Toston.
Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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M a r y s v i l l e , M o n t a n a
G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y
Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
In the 1880’s, for Marysville residents, a Saturday afternoon was often
filled with entertaining events such as Strawberry Festivals and Ice
Cream Socials. The town bustled with over 3,000 people. Drug stores,
restaurants, shoe shops, confectionaries, tailor shops, a lumber yard, a
bakery and a meat market all kept busy. More than a dozen saloons were
also lively. The Marysville post office opened in February of 1881. 3
churches filled with locals on Sunday mornings and a school was built
for the 250 children in the community. The 4th of July celebrations were
really something to see.
From The Dillon Tribune– Nov. 4, 1937
It all started in 1876 when Thomas Cruse discovered gold along Silver
Creek. Cruse worked hard to develop the Drumlummon Mine (named
for his birthplace in Ireland). Coming from virtually nothing, Cruse
struggled and borrowed money from others to develop the claim. But,
word spread and soon, miners arrived from all over. The town was
named for its first female resident, Mary Ralston. Tommy sold the operation
in 1883 but still held onto a little piece of it for himself. The Montana
Company found great success in the mine. Due to boundary rights,
a fire in 1909 and a decrease in ore production, the town’s population
slowly dwindled.
If you get a chance to visit, don’t pass Marysville by! There is still much
to see and explore here and the spirits aren’t gone yet. The Marysville
Pioneers hold an annual picnic to raise funds for projects and maintenance
around the town. And, The Marysville House has been said to
serve to best steak in the state!
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