P a g e 8 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 Castle Town, Montana Castle is one of countless towns that were built in a hurry on miners’ gambles and railroad men’s dreams, only to become quick victims of unstable metals markets. Castle was established in 1884, when the North Carolina Mine opened. Miners were drawn to the silver ore in the area and by 1891, Castle hosted 991 mining claims and was an incorporated town. Businesses popped up along Main Street including Baker’s General Store and Post Office, Kidd’s Furniture Store, Minnie’s Sporting House and Berg’s Meat Market. The town grew to 1500 residents. Castle's prosperity didn't last long. The Silver Panic of 1893, when the silver market crashed, delivered a fatal blow to the town. Most people left immediately, and by 1920, Castle became a ghost town. Castle Town, 1927. Courtesy of the Montana Historical Society. Current Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Constructed in 1881, these brick beehive-shaped charcoal kilns produced charcoal for use as blast furnace fuel at the Hecla Mining Company’s silver smelter at Glendale, Montana. My/Donor Information: SUBSCRIBE TO THE GHOST TOWNS AND HISTORY OF MONTANA NEWSLETTER! Renewal? Y/N Send a Gift to: NAME____________________________________ NAME___________________________________ ADDRESS__________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________ CITY______________________________________ CITY_____________________________________ STATE__________________ZIP________________STATE_________________ ZIP________________ Yearly subscriptions are $19.95 (published monthly). Please make checks payable to Ghost Towns & History of MT, LLC and send with this clipping to P.O. Box 126, Warm Springs, MT 59756
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