P a g e 6 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 1) TOM BELL'S CABIN (Private) Tom Bell was the great grandson of Fred Bell. Fred Bell owned and ran the livery stable across the street. Tom, his grandfather Fred W. Bell and his great grandfather Fred are all buried in the Elkhorn cemetery. this well preserved building is a good example of the log structures built to house the men and families of early Elkhorn. 2) THE ELKHORN SCHOOL (Private) was built as the town 's population grew, and the people recognized a need to provide education to the children of Elkhorn. This building was the first school of Elkhorn before 1880. In 1884 the building behind this one was built as another school. At one time the Elkhorn school's student body, first through eighth grade, reached 200 students and three separate school buildings were in use. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz 3) FRATERNITY HALL is owned by the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 4) GILLIAN HALL, along with Fraternity Hall is currently owned by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which in the summer of 1993 contracted a stabilization and preservation project to extend their structural lives. 5) ELKHORN TRADING COMPANY STORE, (Private) was also known as the trading post. This store sold the necessities to the residents of the town, like coffee, flour, eggs, nails, camp oil, overalls, material, tobacco, etc. 6) HOFFMAN'S BARBERSHOP (Private) In the early years due to the scarcity of water, was the only place one could buy a tub full of water to bathe in. During the boom this little shop was quite busy with people seeking a bath and a shave. 7) & 8) FORD'S CANDY STORE AND JEWELRY SHOP (Private) have long been overtaken by the elements, and only interpretive signs mark their places on main street. Still their presence in Elkhorn shows that at one time the residents could afford the small and large luxuries these absent buildings once provided. 9) SHRINER'S GENERAL STORE (Private) like the Elkhorn Trading Co. Store, furnished needed articles to the people of Elkhorn. Traditionally, the general store was a place of gossip and loitering. People could buy things they needed; and at the same time pick up a few pieces of personal information about another resident or happening to share with a neighbor or friend. 10) THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL (Private) was one of the several hotels in Elkhorn. This big structure was able to sleep 30 to 40 people at one time. The hotel later became a boarding house for those who needed a more permanent place to stay. (Dismantled) 11) THE SALOON (Private) was one of the many that operated in Elkhorn. These saloons were usually segregated according to ethnic and occupational differences. Disputes that occurred between the different groups were settled by the Marquis of Queensbury rules for boxing. These segregated saloons offered a gathering place to the men after a long day of hard work. (No longer standing) 12) THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE (Private) due to the times, was very busy with residents suffering from illness and injury. Though health care was primitive, the doctors did their best to treat the ailments of the residents of Elkhorn. The building was also used as a school house in the 1930s. (No longer standing)
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