JULY 2024 Ghost Towns and History of Montana Newsletter From The Ronan Pioneer, March 4, 1937 The Ghost Town of Independence Independence, Montana is nestled high in the Absaroka Range and has always challenged the limits of travelers and commerce. A trip from Big Timber to the mining camp took 5 days by horse. Gold was first discovered in the area in the 1860s but at that time, the land was still part of the Crow Indian Reservation. It would be another 20 years before the Crows would cede the land and development would occur. The main mining boom occurred from 1888 until 1893. This was following the cut of a pack trail through the timber granting easier access to the high elevation veins. The first stamp mill was taken in by the Independence Mining Company in 1888. Many more stamp mills would follow to serve local mines such as the Daisy, Hidden Treasure, King Solomon, Poorman and the Independence. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz The Independence Mine was running full blast in 1892 and 1893 which prompted a local population of nearly 500. The camp consisted of one main street with scattered cabins, a few saloons and a couple of stores. Seven stamp mills were running. Telephone service and electricity made their way to the town. The Independence Mill would produce $42,000 in gold bullion. But, this big boom would all come to an end with the depression of 1893, exhaustion of accessible ore and poor management. Accessed via: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
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