A publication by Ghost Towns & History of Montana July 6th–July 12th 2025 Montan Stories, Photos & Fun! Please share this with a friend OUT AND ABOUT Tidbits Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Museum Karst Camp Grasshopper Creek First Find A dude ranch founded in 1901, Karst's Camp became a tourist attraction for visitors eager to see Yellowstone National Park. Pete Karst acquired the land from his employer, The Copper Tie Company, as back pay. Pete started his venture by building a cabin for himself which led to the construction of 25 more cabins for guests. The camp hosted 150 tourist per summer. Karst put in a tow rope for skiers and a bar and brothel entertained local miners. A grocery store/dining room served guests year-round. Karst charged $12 a week per guest and an additional $2 for each horse they rode. Karst Stage grew to 3 weekly runs between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Karst offered tours into Yellowstone National Park, eventually replacing horse-drawn carriages with cars. Karst operated the resort for 50 years before his retirement. Puzzle made at puzzle-maker.com Did You Know? The first book published in Montana was Thomas J. Dimsdale’s The Vigilantes of Montana published in 1866. It is a collection of newspaper articles he published as editor for the Montana Post. In 1936 The Glacier County Chief reported, “The diggings at Grasshopper creek came to be known as Bannack. The name was taken from the Bannack Indians who had roamed this area in making their seasonal journeys from the headwaters of the Columbia to those of the Missouri On Sept. 8. 1862. a group of gold hunters known as Woodmansee’s Wagon Train and consisting of 10 wagons, reached Bannack from Salt Lake City. It was at this time that what was probably the first road marker ever erected in Montana was set up on the river bank at the confluence of Beaverhead and Rattlesnake creek, two miles south of the present site of Dillon. The sign was on a rough hewn board nailed to a post and painted with axel grease. It read: ‘Tu grass Hop Per digins 30 myle Kepe the trale nex the bluffs.’ On the opposite side of the board was the following road information: ‘Tu jonni grants One hunred and twenti myle.’ The so-called ‘Grass Hop Per digins’ were what was then the infant town of Bannack. The present-day site of Deer Lodge is built on ‘jonni grants’ ranch.” Even though it happened almost 100 years ago, there is still much about the Wise River Flood of 1927 that we don’t know. Matt Stanchfield, longtime resident of Wise River and a member of the Big Hole Historical Association, will present new information (and some old) during the Brown Bag presentation on July 9th. 17 W. Quartz St. Butte, MT, 121pm FREE Doughnuts. One pound of sugar, yolks of four eggs, one tablespoonful of butter, one tablespoonful of molasses. Mix together; add one pint of sour milk or buttermilk, one teaspoonful of soda in a little water, and enough flour to stiffen into dough of moderate stiffness. Red Lion, Montana This camp is located along the north fork of Flint Creek. The Red Lion lode was developed in the late 1880s. The site was home to two mills employing 200 men. Gold production totaled around $38,000. Q: What is the official state tree of Montana? ©2025 Ghost Towns and History of Montana, LLC. All rights reserved. A: The Ponderosa Pine
1 Publizr