On vacation recently, a sunny afternoon was spent exploring the charming ghost town of Bannack, Montana, located in the very beautiful scenic south western part of the state. This once bustling gold mining town, established in 1862, boasted a population of 3,000 at it's peak, and included hotels, a county courthouse, stores, assay office, saloons, a Masonic Lodge, school, jail, miners cabins and family residences. This was a booming community, and the gold was plentiful.
This is said to have been a rough and tumble mining town, with it's share of crime and punishment.
In the early days the town was made up of mostly single men, intent on making their fortunes. That first winter, between 1862 and 1863 of the 400 or so people living in town, only about 30-35 were said to be "respectable" women!
As the years went by and the town became more populated, there were more opportunities to socialize. There were dances, religious meetings, picnics, skating on nearby Grasshopper Creek and even a baseball team. Businesses thrived.
As the gold deposits played out the population began to decline, and by 1950, Bannack, which had once been the capital of the Territory of Montana, was mostly abandoned.
Over the years an effort was made to preserve the town site and some of the Bannack buildings. In 1954 the property was donated to the State of Montana with the stipulation that the town was to be
preserved, with the ghost town atmosphere. Today, you are able to walk the streets and boardwalks and go into many of the old buildings. You can get a glimpse of what life must have been like in those early days.
So, come take a stroll with me through the streets and boardwalks of Bannack......we'll even go in some buildings!
I love this old door! And look at the logs with the chinking between them. There are remnants of old fabric on the walls, used to keep out the draft. Can't you just imagine how cold it must have been in the winter?
Floorboards in one of the cabins. These are wide old boards and square nails were used.
Furnishings were pretty simple. This cabin, one that was in later years used as a summer retreat, had wallpaper added. You can see remnants of it on the wall.
In another room in the cabin the floor had been brightened with a floral linoleum. Note how it has cracked and the floorboards underneath show.
Over time, many layers of wallpaper had been applied. Underneath often there was burlap and newspaper.
And a bit of linoleum still remains under the old stove.
The Hotel Meade was once a grand old lady, serving as the center of social activities for locals and a home for many Montana travelers. Prior to becoming a hotel it had been the Beaverhead County Courthouse.
The hotel's beautiful winding staircase.
Just look at this ornate molding!
This is the inside of the blacksmith's building. Look at the brands left from branding irons burnt into the walls!
The jails of Bannack. The guidebook says that during the peak of the gold rush, the jails were seldom used. No one wanted to guard the prisoners, when they could be working their claims. So, the offenders were warned, run out of town or hanged! I hope the sheriff doesn't come along and throw my daughter, grand-dog and son-in-law in the hoosegow!
Shown above is a residence, and next to that is the Methodist Church.
I love the front door with the arched windows on this little cabin. The smiling visitor is my tour guide and son-in-law.
The outhouse behind the cabin, nestled discreetly amongst the trees!
An old fashioned merry- go- round outside the schoolhouse. Hey, I remember riding on a slightly updated version of this when I was in school. ?!?
And here is the schoolhouse. The first floor was for school and the second floor was the Masonic Temple. The combination lodge and school was built in 1874 and the school operated until the early 1950's. Upstairs, inside the Masonic temple you will see the historically correct furniture and equipment properly arranged for a lodge in the 1800s. This is now the Bannack Historic Lodge, and is active with members around the world who help with the preservation of this and other buildings in Bannack.
Looking down the street you can see some of the storefronts.
This cabin with a lean to addition hasn't been fully preserved yet.
This building has some interesting architectural details.
This building wasn't identified, but perhaps it might have been a livery stable or maybe a barn.
Look at this gorgeous bar in this old saloon! How many tall tales do you think were told there?
Isn't this just about the cutest detail on this roof line?
And lastly on our stroll down the boardwalks of Bannack we stop to look at the mining artifacts, representing beginning with the the first discovery of placer gold and lode deposits in 1862 until World War II when all non-essential mining was prohibited. After the war, placer and hard rock mining resumed sporadically in this area. Today a few small mines operate downstream from Bannack.
I had such a good time visiting this wonderful old ghost town that has been preserved with such painstaking care. If you are passing through southwest Montana, it is definitely worth a side trip.
There is so much more to see and enjoy.
Thanks for stopping by.
Charlotte
