7 Towns In Montana That Were Frozen In Time
Want to take a peek inside Montana’s past? These small Montana towns give visitors a clear, untouched picture of the early days of the Treasure State. As the home to Native American tribes and a bustling Gold Rush area since the discovery of gold at Gold Creek in 1858, Montana has a history as vast as the Rocky Mountains. Whether you want to explore the Old West ruins in Virginia City or walk the path of the early settlers in Stevensville, these seven towns in Montana that were frozen in time offer a rare and uncommercialized glimpse into American exploration out west.
Virginia City
Nestled in the Alder Gulch in the Ruby River Valley, Virginia City was once the spot to strike it rich during the Gold Rush. Nearly $100 million worth of gold was estimated to be mined in Virginia City, making it Montana’s largest mining settlement in the 1800s. While you may not strike it rich in Virginia City today, its wealth lies in its unique Montana experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Old downtown Virginia City is recognized as one of the best-preserved American mining camps in the country. In town, you can walk the old dirt roads and rickety wooden buildings locked away in time. The Nevada City Old Town Museum and Music Hall hosts one of the largest displays of artifacts of the Old West and boasts 100 historical buildings to explore. In the warmer months, it has a Living History event where actors walk the town and reenact past events of the Old West.
Fort Benton
While Montana can be pretty rocky, Fort Benton is iconic for its wide-open fields with wild deer and antelope, and a historic downtown that is a perfect reflection of its early roots. Fort Benton is Montana’s oldest continuously occupied settlements, established in 1846. While the early horse traffic has been replaced by cars, the original charm of the structures downtown is well-preserved, and feels like stepping back in time. Nestled along the scenic Missouri River, Fort Benton is a perfect blend of natural beauty and old-world charm. If you are a big fan of history, then you’ve come to the right place. Fort Benton has a plethora of museums and historical sites to keep you occupied for days. Visitors can explore Old Fort Benton at the Heritage Complex. The old fort was a fur trading complex, abandoned in 1881, and is currently being restored to reflect its former glory as historically as possible. If you want to walk the path of the early settlers, Homestead Village recreates a Northern Plains rural community. Many of the rustic wood buildings in Homestead Village were moved to the site from abandoned towns around the area and carefully restored so visitors can tour this truly unique town.
White Sulphur Springs
Love exploring eerie, forgotten towns? The area of White Sulphur Springs isn’t your average well-maintained historical village. Situated right outside of the quaint downtown district of White Sulphur Springs is one of Montana’s most popular ghost towns: Castle City. It was once a thriving silver mining town, but as the price of silver dropped, the settlers packed up and left. Today, Castle City is a dusty, overgrown village of rickety log homes and the remains of the school, jail, brothels, and saloons. But if you aren’t a fan of lost villages, White Sulphur Springs is also home to The Castle, a stunningly exquisite estate and home to the Meagher County Museum. Exploring The Castle Museum is also an excellent way to learn a little more about the interesting town of White Sulphur Springs. After a full day of exploring this charming city, no trip to White Sulphur Springs is complete without taking a relaxing dip at the rustic Spa Hot Springs Motel or the Tenderfoot Cabins & Motel.
Stevensville
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Bitterroot Mountain Range and a warm community, Stevensville is ripe for discovery. It’s one of the oldest settlements of non-indigenous people and was established almost 50 years before Montana became a state. One of the most iconic sites in Stevensville is St. Mary's Mission, an amazing church accented by the rolling fields and towering mountains in the distance. It was here that pioneers in the Lewis and Clark expedition and Salish and the Nez Perce Tribes helped each other and grew a community together. The site also includes Father Ravalli’s house, a pharmacy, a Salish museum, and a visitor center. Fort Owens State Park is not just a lovely place to admire the natural beauty of Stevensville, but also to explore antiquated buildings of the 1800s when the area was settled. The East Barracks, for instance, is the only remaining original structure from the area. There are also replications of an 1800s cabin, root cellar, and a well house. Fun fact: Fort Owens was also home to Montana’s first Catholic Church. With so many historical sites and beauty, it’s easy to get lost in Stevensville.
Anaconda
Anaconda is a quiet, secluded community, and the residents wouldn’t have it any other way. The isolation is part of the charm of Anaconda, and what makes it so much fun to visit. Tucked away in the lush foothills of the Anaconda Range (aka the Pintlers), Anaconda is a sleepy hidden gem that feels like traveling back in time. Originally a copper-mining town, Anaconda was initially named Copperopolis. However, the name had to be changed because it wasn’t exactly unique; other towns had already claimed it. The town's founder, Copper magnate Marcus Daly, wanted Anaconda to be the capital of Montana, so he built a stunning Victorian-era city hall accented with ornate Roman and Romanesque details. The old city hall was restored in the 1970s, and in its place is the beautiful Copper Village Museum and Art, a great spot to explore and learn more about the area. Another notable site in Anaconda includes the Anaconda Copper Mining Company smelter stack. While it’s not exactly open for tours, it’s worth a visit, as is the associated park. What makes it so incredibly special is that it is the tallest surviving masonry structure not just in the state of Montana, but in the world. With a unique history, breathtaking scenery, and a quiet, isolated vibe, Anaconda is certainly worth checking out.
Philipsburg
If there weren’t modern cars parked in front of the buildings in downtown Philipsburg, you would think you traveled 100 years back in time. As a former mining town, many of the relics and buildings of its mining are still intact today. The historic district has some of the most well-preserved late-19th-century commercial and public buildings, like Doe's Drug Store, that add to the overall old-world charm of the area. While the historic district of Philipsburg is proudly well-maintained, there are also long-forgotten mining towns that are fun to explore on a warm day. The Granite County Museum & Cultural Center is your first stop before checking out the eerie ruins of the Granite Ghost Town State Park. You can take a seasonal tour of the remains of this once-booming mining town. Many of the buildings have been lost to time, but it’s still exciting to walk the same dusty paths of eager prospectors of the 1800s.
Red Lodge
Red Lodge is where rustic charm meets sweeping natural beauty that is iconic to the great state of Montana. Considered a gateway to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Highway. With Montana’s highest mountain peaks (Beartooth Mountains) casting shadows on the old-world main street, it’s home to classic Western-style hospitality and historical sites. In fact, the blend of Gothic, Romanesque, Classical Revival, and Colonial Revival architecture peppered throughout town lands many of the buildings in Red Lodge on the National Register of Historic Places. Carbon County Historical Society and Museum is a great stop to learn more about the early days of Red Lodge via exhibits and rare artifacts. If you want to explore the lost and forgotten town of Red Lodge’s early days, there are various sites peppered throughout the area worth checking out. With a charming and picturesque setting as well as plenty of ruins to explore, Red Lodge is a fun stop if you’re heading out to Yellowstone or just want to go on a Montana adventure.
The Old West Awaits
These small Montana towns really put the ‘treasure’ in the Treasure State! Only in Montana can you explore the ruins of abandoned mining towns, frozen in time just waiting to be discovered. It’s like Montana is an American time capsule from the breathtaking views of the Bitterroot Mountains of Stevensville to the sprawling prairies of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Fort Benton, each of these towns have views as unique as their history. So, pack a bag, clear out some camera storage on your phone, and get ready to explore the great American West!
