P a g e 2 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r the Granite Mountain ‐ looking west ‐ provided the ore. Mills were built in Granite and nearby Hasmark and Rumsey where other discoveries were made. The name "Granite" accurately describes both the mountain and the town clinging to its peak. With very few level spots, many houses were built against the hill on one side and elevated stilts on the other side. They were usually small, built of boards, covered with tar paper and clapboard. The "topsoil" consisted mostly of decomposed granite and was so thin that it was impossible to dig a grave on the mountain; bodies were transported down to the valley floor in Philipsburg for burial. Wells could not be dug either. Each household was given four 5‐gallon cans of water per day and an extra gallon on wash day. On the right is the cabin where the stockholders were obligated to meet at least once a year. It was the caretaker's cabin during the rest of the year. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz As you walk up the road, try to imagine the Granite Mountain Mining Company's General Office, the Granite Mountain Mining Mill and the Ruby Shaft Hoist up the mountain to the right. This is the same area where the main foot race was a man killing dash up the steep, rocky face of Granite Mountain to the top and back, a distance of about a mile and a half each way. The prizes were $50, $25, and $15 for the first three places. This was held on Miner's Union Day ‐ June 13th. Looking to the right, there is a pile of weathered boards. That is what remains of the Hospital building. It was a two‐story building where five doctors practiced in Granite. In 1884, when black diphtheria struck hard, at least 35 children and a large but unknown number of adults died. Moving up the hill and to your right and on the corner is where the Catholic Church stood. Behind that church was the Methodist. The Episcopal Church was up the hill from the Methodist and the Presbyterian Church was up from Magnolia Lane on the corner. The pews from the Episcopal church in Granite are still being used in the Episcopal church in Philipsburg. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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