P a g e 7 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 gallons, to be built. From the penstock a pipe 38 inches in diameter and about 1,500 feet in length will extend down mountainside to the power house. The penstock will be about 200 feet higher than the power house…[the fall of water is expected to create energy equal to about 2,500 horsepower]. Pelton water wheels …are high pressure and capable of a like number of generators. The power will be transmitted to the mill of the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Company a distance of seven miles, over heavy copper wires and will be put into use by means of an electric motor at the mill. The site of the power station is a short distance below the Flint Creek falls and is almost perfect for the purpose…the company expects to have power generated by next February. The contract for lumber to be used in the construction of the powerhouse has been awarded and the electrical machinery is now being built by the Westinghouse Company. A large shipment of insulators has already arrived at the depot and the work of setting the poles will be commenced at once and be completed before the frost will interfere. The heavy copper wires which are to convey the powerful electric current will also be strung before snow falls and most of the outdoor work will be completed before the first of the year…Ultimately the electricity generated at Flint Creek falls will be utilized in the operation of the company mines at Granite and in lighting that town.” Thomas Stuart Mill Remains from The Circle Banner article in 1924 The dream became reality when power was finally generated in 1901. Remnants of the flume are still visible along the walls of the Flint Creek gorge and this little power plant furnished the Company and the local area well. Although a money pit, an upgraded plant continues to provide power. There were at least four ranches on Georgetown Flats before the dam was built. The Pullar Brother’s, Ike and John Sanders and W.T. Hull were relocated to Upper Rock Creek, apparently by Paul Fusz obtaining the Rock Creek ranch sites and consummating a trade. Also located on the southeast side was the remains of the Thomas Stuart Mill, built in 1873 and 1874 by Stuart and O.B. Whitford. The milling venture was said to be a loss to the men of at least $25,000 as their mine failed to yield high grade ore. This area is now known as the Stuart Bay. Thomas was the younger brother of James and Granville Stuart. The mill, built without any nails was still partially standing in 1924. -Courtesy of the Granite County History Blog The purpose of the Granite County History Blog (https://granitecountyhistory.blogspot.com/) is to share and seek information on the history of Granite County, Montana. In a few cases our topics will lap over into adjacent counties as mining districts especially do not respect the later boundaries imposed by politicians! It is a project of members of the Granite County Historical Society, an organization founded in 1978 by the late Barry Engrav of Philipsburg and now comprised of 8 members dedicated to preserving and interpreting historical documents, artifacts, and sites in the greater Philipsburg area. Our goal is to interest current residents, folks with family roots, and those with an academic interest in the area to add their knowledge to this blog as an ongoing project to deepen and in some cases correct the narrative of the people and events that shaped history in this part of Montana. The recent explosion of scanned historical documents onto the internet is making it possible to greatly speed up historical research, refine historical chronology, and deepen historical interpretation. Perhaps we are entering into a "golden age" of research into our past! Anyone with an interest in the Philipsburg area or Montana history is invited to discuss the topics of our posts, as well as their own data and sources, which we hope will create an ongoing dialogue about the area now known as Granite County.
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