Discover the Historic Ghost Towns in Montana

You'll find sagging doors, rusty hinges, and the whispered stories of a time long gone in Montana's historic ghost towns. They evoke the spirit of the Gold Rush era in a way that only these abandoned towns can. The most famous ghost town in Montana is Virginia City, which has evolved into an outdoor theme park. But there are a few other gems that are worth checking out as well. To know more about ghost towns click here.

Bannack

Bannack is Montana's First Territorial Capital and one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state. Its historic log and frame structures still stand, recalling the state's early frontier years.

In its heyday, Bannack was a bustling town with a population of 3,000. The town was a social center for families and tradesmen during the Gold rush.

The mining community was not without its problems. Getting supplies was often difficult, and violence erupted over disagreements.

During the winter, Bannack suffered from various contagious diseases like whooping cough, scarlet fever, and influenza. When illness hit, Bannack's Bessette House was used to quarantine those afflicted.

Comet

Comet, Montana, is a historic ghost town located on private property near Helena. It is a great place to visit for people interested in the state's mining history.

One of the first mining towns to appear in the mountains of Montana, Comet was surveyed and platted in 1876. It was home to miners who made a living from mining silver, copper, Gold, lead, and zinc in the late 1800s.

It is one of the few ghost towns in the state, with several buildings still standing today. A tin-sided mill, the town's two-story boarding house, and numerous cabins are among the most interesting remains to see.

Garnet

Garnet, Montana, is one of the most intact ghost towns in the state. It is a stark reminder of what mining was like in the early 20th century.

Garnet was founded in 1895 when Armistead Mitchell erected a stamp mill to crush local ore. Shortly after, Sam Ritchey hit a rich vein of ore in his Nancy Hanks mine, and the town boomed.

Eager miners and entrepreneurs built quickly without planning, creating a haphazard community. By January 1898, nearly 1,000 people populated Garnet.

Skilled hard rock miners brought their families to Garnet, making it more of a family town than many mining camps. Families participated in dinner parties, hayrides, fishing trips, picnics, and dances.

Kendall

Kendall is one of central Montana's best-preserved ghost towns. Tucked in the North Moccasin Mountains, it is an excellent destination for a scenic drive and an opportunity to walk through century-old stone buildings.

Once a thriving town, Kendall was a mining boomtown. During its boom, it boasted 200 permanent residents, three general stores, two hotels, two livery stables, a restaurant, a butcher, a tailor, an assay office, and five saloons.

In 1901, Harry T. Kendall tucked four gold bars into his saddlebags and rode to Lewistown, where he sold his claims for a small fortune. He also installed a cyanide mill and established the Kendall Mining Company.

Pony

Few towns in Montana meld the past with the present and Pony. Residents here, like resident historian Brian Rumsey, take a serious interest in preserving their history.

It's an approach that pays off handsomely. Today, the historic ghost town looks and feels much as it did more than a century ago when Gold seekers flocked here.

Those Gold finds, as well as the emergence of railroad service and electricity, gave Pony a boost and helped make it one of Montana's most prosperous mining towns. Many of the town's buildings, including stamp mills, depict this important time in Montana's history.

Virginia Citys

Virginia City is a unique and fascinating destination that offers visitors a chance to experience the history and culture of the American West. While it may be considered a ghost town, it's far from being a deserted or forgotten place.

Virginia City, Montana, is considered a ghost town but is not completely abandoned. In fact, Virginia City is one of the best-preserved and most vibrant ghost towns in the United States. It was founded in 1863 during the Montana gold rush and became the capital of the Montana Territory in 1865.

Today, Virginia City has a population of fewer than 200 people and most of the buildings in the town date back to the late 1800s. Visitors to Virginia City can take a step back in time and explore the many remaining original buildings and artifacts. While Virginia City is no longer a bustling mining town, it's far from being completely abandoned.