Ghost Towns and History June 8, 2018 Ghost Towns and History of Montana Newsletter B a n n a c k , M o n t a n a Ad from The Columbian (Columbia Falls, MT) – Aug. 15, 1895 It was late July in 1862 when John White and The Pike’s Peakers discovered gold in the grasshopper creek near Bannack. That day started a rush that would last off and on until the 1930’s. The chance to earn a few bucks brought prospectors and businessmen from all around the area. Bannack’s story is an intriguing one and the town still entertains visitors since becoming a state park in the 1950’s. Within a year of discovering gold, Bannack was bustling with a few thousand residents. This prompted the town to apply to the U.S. Government for the name of “Bannock” (neighboring Indians). Washington, however, made an error and forever changed the name to Bannack with an A. In 1864, Bannack was named the first Territorial Capital of Montana. Photos by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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 This was short lived however as it was moved not long after to Virginia City. Many people moved, along with the capital, to Virginia City where gold was also discovered. Some however remained to give Bannack a fair shake. With gold as pure as 99.5%, Bannack had a lot to offer. Local men found entertainment through the saloons and painted ladies. As the town grew, so did the main street with 3 hotels, 3 bakeries, 3 blacksmith shops, 2 stables, a grocery store, a restaurant, a billiard hall and of course, the 4 saloons. But, as the population grew, so did the violence and bandits. In 1863, Henry Plummer arrived in town and appeared to be the solution to their problems. The smooth talker was elected sheriff of Bannack just a few months later. It was soon after discovered that Henry probably didn’t come with the best of intentions. He was accused of being the leader of a local gang called “The Innocents”. The Innocents were held responsible for over 100 murders in Utah, Idaho and Montana. The town was divided on Plummer’s guilt but on January 10th of 1864, he was hanged at the gallows for his crimes by The Montana Vigilantes; the new lawmakers in town. The Vigilantes continued to reign over the mining districts for the next three years. In 1874, The Bannack Masonic Lodge was built. The lodge was housed upstairs while the downstairs was used as a school for the town. In 1875, The Beaverhead County Courthouse was built; this would close for almost 10 years when the county seat was moved to Dillon, Montana. Dr. John Meade reopened the building as a plush hotel in 1890. Gold production continued to slow down and by the 1930’s, most of the town’s businesses had closed. In 1940, the school closed due to lack of enrollment. In 1954, The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks saved the deteriorating town and named it a state park. It is still preserved today with over 60 structures just waiting to be explored…
G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y P a g e 3 There's not much left of what used to be. Although, a part of me holds on to the days gone by. The miners in town worked me hard and long. But, the silver I produced made me the queen on high. The town used to boom but now there's rarely a flicker. Still, since the memories live on, I have no need to cry. Photo: Granite Ghost TownMontana Photography and Poetry by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Please be sure to share this newsletter with a friend! Subscribe to our Magazine for just $12 a year! Do you enjoy ghost town stories and photos? Grab yourself a print subscription to our magazine, Ghost Towns of Montana and Beyond! We publish quarterly and feature not just Montana but several other states as well! Also makes a great gift! Visit the following link to order via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_id=GHCYS7MES5K9S Or, send check or money order in the amount of $12 to Ghost Towns and History of Montana, LLC, c/o Ghost Towns and History of Montana , P.O. Box 126, Warm Springs, MT 59756 Be sure to write MAGAZINE on your check. Thank you! Hogan School The Hogan one room schoolhouse was in use from 1895 to 1967. The Hogan family had established the county’s first rural school in 1887; this later building served the surrounding ranch kids. It's located along Montana Highway 78 near the town of Luther. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Radersburg School This fine brick schoolhouse was built in 1912, with the distinction of being Broadwater County School District Number 1. Classes were held here until 1966 when the school was closed, and the students road the bus to Toston. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
P a g e 4 M a r y s v i l l e , M o n t a n a G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz In the 1880’s, for Marysville residents, a Saturday afternoon was often filled with entertaining events such as Strawberry Festivals and Ice Cream Socials. The town bustled with over 3,000 people. Drug stores, restaurants, shoe shops, confectionaries, tailor shops, a lumber yard, a bakery and a meat market all kept busy. More than a dozen saloons were also lively. The Marysville post office opened in February of 1881. 3 churches filled with locals on Sunday mornings and a school was built for the 250 children in the community. The 4th of July celebrations were really something to see. From The Dillon Tribune– Nov. 4, 1937 It all started in 1876 when Thomas Cruse discovered gold along Silver Creek. Cruse worked hard to develop the Drumlummon Mine (named for his birthplace in Ireland). Coming from virtually nothing, Cruse struggled and borrowed money from others to develop the claim. But, word spread and soon, miners arrived from all over. The town was named for its first female resident, Mary Ralston. Tommy sold the operation in 1883 but still held onto a little piece of it for himself. The Montana Company found great success in the mine. Due to boundary rights, a fire in 1909 and a decrease in ore production, the town’s population slowly dwindled. If you get a chance to visit, don’t pass Marysville by! There is still much to see and explore here and the spirits aren’t gone yet. The Marysville Pioneers hold an annual picnic to raise funds for projects and maintenance around the town. And, The Marysville House has been said to serve to best steak in the state!
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