This book is a good introduction if you are thinking of visiting bannack. Bannack survives due to the good graces of the montana department of fish, wildlife, and parks who saved the town from the elements and vandalism by making it a state park on august 15, 1954. Fortunately, at that point in time, the state of montana declared bannack a state park, preserving it for future generations to enjoy. Feb 24, 2017 bannack, a ghost town located in southwest montana, was the site of montanas first major gold discovery and is now a state park with many well preserved buildings from over 150 years ago. The montana department of fish, wildlife and parks stepped in to save the town from the elements and vandalism by making it a state park in august of 1954.
Legends tell of the frequent gun fights and rough brawls that broke out over claims on gold or the few women who lived in this rough, boom town that was the capital of the idaho terrority, which encompassed what is now montana. Bannack might be the only town in the west to have had the leader of an outlaw gang as its sheriff. Inside the visitors center, we discover an excellent selection of regional books, video room and a wellinformed park ranger with plenty of stories to tell. It is a gold mine ghost town from the 1800s and early 1900s, left intact for visitors to peruse through the town as it stands before its last inhabitants moved out in the mid1900s. Seeing, feeling, and touching history makes it come alive. Signs along the way give some basic information but dont provide a lot of context. The old gray courthouse door, weathered beyond its 128 years, bangs slowly in the wind. Bannack state park was our destination for this trip because we were visiting with a group of photographers for their living history weekend. Indeed, it is easy to wander the streets of bannack imagining the people and events that were at its foundations. Granite ghost town philipsburg, montana atlas obscura. This strike set off a massive gold rush that swelled bannack s population to over 3,000 by 1863.
Today, bannack is just a ghost town, filled with dusty memories of those who called it home for over a century. Life was tough in bannack, montana, and the men were rough who lived there. The town was purchased by preservationists, and donated to the state in 1954 with the stipulation that it had to remain a ghost town, and could never be developed into a tourist attraction that might compete with virginia city, montana. In 1864, bannack was named as the first territorial capital of montana. Bannack state park is a national historic landmark and the site of montanas first major gold discovery on july 28, 1862. With zak bagans, aaron goodwin, nick groff, billy tolley. Bannack ghost town brief history of bannack today bannack stands as a total ghost town, with not a single person living there, though at one time was known as the capital of montana territory during 1864. Spirit of the west the states premier ghost town, bannack state park gives visitors a glimpse of montanas colorful frontier past. People from around the state come to act the parts of bannacks vigilantes and. Ghost adventures bannack ghost town tv episode 2014 imdb. This interesting old ghost town, bannack, has about 20 buildings and points of interest preserved and stabilized, but not renovated, which are located on the main street. Bannack, a ghost town located in southwest montana, was the site of montanas first major gold discovery and is now a state park with.
State park employees are the real deal in montana hospitality and knowledgeability about bannacks history. The last residents of the town moved away in the 1940s. Learn the history and stories of montanas bannack state park historic ghost town with historian tom lowe and the harrison 7th grade montana history class. Bannack montana by robert mcpherson, paperback barnes. Legends tell of the frequent gun fights and rough brawls that broke out over claims on gold or the few women who lived in this rough, boom town that was the capital of the idaho terrority, which encompassed what is now. The bannack ghost walks are live reenactments of significant events throughout the history of bannack. Today, over 60 buildings remain standing, the majority of which can be explored by the public. Every form of mining one can imagine was carried on here. The mining ghost town of bannack state park in montana rv hive. This strike set off a massive gold rush that swelled bannacks population to over 3,000 by 1863.
The town of bannack is a national historic landmark and a state park in montana. While bannack is now a ghost town, the history of this location is fascinating. As a result, the boardwalks and streets of bannack are often deserted, or at least not crowded with many. Founded in 1862, the town contemporarily operates as a national historic landmark and is managed by the state of montana as. Today bannack stands as a total ghost town, with not a single person living there, though at one time was known as the capital of montana territory during 1864. Bannack state park dillon all you need to know before. Ghost town ghosts in bannack, montana legends of america. Despite the touristy appearance, calico has its own rich history and is still an interesting place to wander for any history buff. This story is featured in montana outdoors julyaugust 2003. Once a year, though, on the third weekend of july, the town is brought back to life. Foundation of montana details the legacy of the historic mining town of bannack, montana in words and images. While investigating, they expand the scope of their investigation to include more areas. Bannack state park hours temporally closeddue to covid19 spring, fall and winter the town site is open from 8. Mar 08, 2014 with zak bagans, aaron goodwin, nick groff, billy tolley.
Memorial day through labor day the town site is open from 8. From wow i stepped back in time and stumbled into a authentic ghost town to more of a sterile movie set. The gac travel to montana to investigate the hotel meade. This story begins with another story contained within. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or humancaused disasters such as a flood, government action, uncontrolled lawlessness, or war. This is an incomplete list of ghost towns in montana a ghost town is a town or city which has lost all of its businesses and population. Published by the montana department of fish, wildlife and parks. Today, over 60 structures remain and the staff gives toursas well as allowing individuals to explore this historic site on their own. People from all over the world visit this renowned ghost town to experience montanas mining history. By the 1940s there would be so few students that the school would have to close and bannack became a ghost town. Signs along the way give some basic information but dont provide a. Bannack blossomed, became the capital of the territory, and then faded as the gold waned.
Bannack is the best preserved of all montana ghost towns. Bannack history bannack was settled in 1862 after the discovery of gold on grasshopper creek. Bannack state park historic ghost town stories and history. On almost any other day of the year bannack is a fantastic place to visit. Even about the hurdy gurdy girls who could get 50 cents or a dollar for just one dance from lonely miners. Pictures showing old and existing buildings and how they were famous in developing the towns existence.
The mining ghost town of bannack state park in montana. From the end of may to september the visitor center is open from 10. Bannack is a ghost town in beaverhead county, montana, united states, located on grasshopper creek, approximately 11 miles 18 km upstream from where grasshopper creek joins with the beaverhead river south of dillon. Sep 29, 2019 from wow i stepped back in time and stumbled into a authentic ghost town to more of a sterile movie set. The now state park known as bannack, montana was not only the states capital, but once a booming gold town full of outlaws, miners, and survivors. The info center is modest but very informative with articles and displays well done. Venerable structures, many of them falsefronted, stand along bannacks main street.
Bannack remains one of the wests best preserved ghost towns. Montana residents receive free admission through their vehicle registrations. And bannack is a great ghost town many of the buildings are still standing. But the gold petered out, people left and only a few hundred folks remained by 1872. This part guidebook, part history book is an uptodate collection of photos and true stories about the most famous ghost towns of montanapackaged with a map and more.
This illustrated building by building guide and history, a large squarish staplebound 8vo, is the best for a visit to the ghost town. Bannack continued to be a mining town until the 1970s when the last inhabitants left and bannack became one of the many ghost towns in the united states. Yet more sightings have been reported throughout the town of ghostly women dressed in their best finery. State park employees are the real deal in montana hospitality and knowledgeability about bannack s history. Tips for visiting bannack ghost town on a montana road trip. A picture and text book on a restored ghost town about bannack montana. Bannack is now a state park where visitors can see one of montanas bestpreserved ghost towns, frozen in time, all year. Ghost towns of montana ghost towns and history of the. However, the montana department of fish, wildlife, and parks saved the town from the elements and vandalism by making it a state park on august 15, 1954.
Known as a living ghost town, calico is far from abandoned and almost looks like something straight out of a theme park. The visitor center is located near the westend parking lot as you enter bannack. My kids entered every accessible building, walked into nearly every room possible, and asked questions about all sorts of farm and mining tools. After a huge amount of gold was found in the area in 1862, it took only a matter of weeks before people started to call this place home, and the town quickly. May 20, 2016 while bannack is now a ghost town, the history of this location is fascinating. Mar 29, 2016 fortunately, at that point in time, the state of montana declared bannack a state park, preserving it for future generations to enjoy. Details of how, when and where gold was discovered. Bannack state park gets a new alarm system to help protect.
As news of the gold strike spread many prospectors and businessmen rushed to bannack hoping to strike it rich. The granite ghost town walk trail visits these sites, along with the foundations of many of the other buildings. Bannack, montana ghost town state park picture gallery. If living history weekend restores the wild west to its roughandtumble glory, bannacks annual ghost walks, held in late october, resurrects the past by bringing the towns dead back from the grave. On july 28, 1862, john white and other members of the pikes peakers discovered gold in the creek waters where bannack stands today.
And while its history is wide, this is just one story of my brush with the famous hangmans gulch. Placer mining, hydraulic mining, milling and dredging, spanning approximately 100 years in time. Calico ghost town in southern california is a western lovers dream. One of the things that bannack was famous for was the road between bannack and. In just a few months it became a thriving metropolis of over 3000 people. When mining played out, bannack became a ghost town in the 1940s. Remaining in bannack for only a short time, the capital moved on to virginia city. The district experienced many periods of boom and decline but by world war 2 the industry was on its last legs. An invaluable resource for ghost town tourists and history buffs alike, its also a record of passing time, an ode to those miners, ranchers, and cowboys who founded montana.
In 1864, bannack was the territorial capital of montana for a short time before it was moved to virginia city. Experience the quiet solitude of bannack state park or watch history come alive with a performance at virginia city and nevada city. The creek was originally named willard creek by the lewis and clark. Bannack state park dillon all you need to know before you. Jan 27, 2018 learn the history and stories of montanas bannack state park historic ghost town with historian tom lowe and the harrison 7th grade montana history class. Bannack was founded in 1862 when john white discovered gold on grasshopper creek. Sep 14, 2018 the town of bannack is a national historic landmark and a state park in montana. It was the beginning for both bannack and the state of montana, considered one of the last frontiers. My kids entered every accessible building, walked into nearly every room possible, and asked questions about all. Ghost towns visiting one of montanas ghost towns is like stepping back in time to the era of gold, saloons and vigilantes. Bannack full of history, stories, buildings the spokesman. The stagecoach route between bannack and virginia city was the scene of holdups, robberies and murders that made it almost impossible to travel the road safely. Founded in 1862, the town contemporarily operates as a national historic landmark and is managed by the state of montana as bannack state park.