This interpretive trail begins at Garnets parking lot and takes hikers through the historic Sierra and Forest Lode Claims. Turn onto Bear Gulch road at the sign for Garnet. Ovando, MT (16.6 mi.) A metal menagerie fills the yard of this museum and gallery, the work of Montana artist Bill Ohrmann. Garnet No purchase necessary. The homes tell the story of how miners and their families survived in tiny spaces. Inside the houses at Garnet Ghost Town, Montana, Cows on the way to Garnet Ghost Town, Montana, A cow we saw on the way to Garnet Ghost Town, Montana. Thats the one time a year that we act like the rest of the ghost towns. Its an old gold mine. If you enjoy checking out old abandoned spots in the Treasure State, check out these places that nature is reclaiming. WebGarnet Ghost Town. 59635. No trailers or RVs should make the drive.. It is also the site of the first territorial capital.. It is not a quick trip once you leave the highway. Sleep with ghosts in the following cabins. WebExplore Located at approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, 12 miles from the nearest highway, in the Garnet Mountains of western Montana, Garnet Ghost Town features These are approximate driving distances in a radius from Garnet, Montana. Despite being deserted, Garnet still seems like it might be nice place to settle down and start a family. Kalispell, MT. And we saw a bear on the way down from the car! All of the artifacts were found in or near the town. Erected in 1938 by Ole and Marion Dahl, this building is perhaps the youngest cabin in Garnet. Placer gold was first found in First Chance Creek in 1865, mostly recovered by drift diggings. Read our full collection of stories here. His first love is coffee, with travel a close 2nd. At its prime, Garnet was home to about 13 saloons. Kellys saloon is the place to be if you arent scared of phantoms. Its not hard to imagine the residents from just a century ago drinking, working, and making a life for themselves. 200 is slow and bumpy but worth the trip. Constructed by Ole and Marion Dahl in 1938, the home was occupied until the 1960s by Marion, who was known as Garnets last resident. 11 mile dirt road to access off Rt. Social media has increased visitation, for sure, but I get excited because I like seeing people enjoy public lands. Located at First Chance Gulch, the town was originally named Mitchell after Dr. Armistead Mitchell, who built an ore mill in the town, but the name was eventually changed to Garnet after the red gem, which was also discovered among the gems and minerals found there. Garnet does that, too; to stand in any of the buildings feels like time simply slipped past the town, preserving it and its place in history for the ages. Bannack is another unsettling and downright eerie ghost town inMontana. Garnet Ghost Town Montana There is a little treasure as you drive the Garnet Range Rd, about six miles from MT 200, you will pass another Ghost Town, Colomia. Kellys Saloon Below are the stand-out attractions in Garnet Ghost Town. Some buildings did not have proper foundations, and it wasnt unheard of for someone to return home to find a new mine shaft opening right in their yard. Its remote location high in the Garnet mountain range made transportation challenging, but Garnet boomed anyway: At its peak, it had a post office, hotel, school, four general stores, three livery stables, two barbershops, a candy store, a doctors office, a butcher shop, brothels, and more than a dozen saloons. The Garnet Ghost Town from the west, take I-90 east to Exit 109, the Bonner Exit. The gold theyre finding isnt very valuable, but they get gold fever real quick. As a big player in the Gold Rush, Montana is no stranger to ghost towns. For miners who could not afford a room of their own, the hotel offered a common space on the third floor that was unfurnished but would protect guests from the elements. All rights reserved. These structures include log cabins, stores, hotels, saloons, and everything in between. Although many mining communities were focused on more the bare necessities needed to sustain the miners, Garnet was more of a family community. Had a blast!! Well, what do you think? Its the best way to really get the lay of the land. Went early so had the Ghost Town to ourselves. He loves nothing more than hitting the road in his self-build campervan and visiting off-the-beaten-path places, away from popular tourist destinations. Garnet is not for big rigs, straight up..limited space up top, then straight downCan be narrow. After the final mining attempts ended in 1940, Marion served as a protector for Garnet, watching over the town to deter looters from stealing some of the historical artifacts left behind. In the midst of the towns biggest years, a 1912 fire burned down half of the town, and what was lost was not rebuilt. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The third floor is still structurally sound, and the rooms have artifacts that were left behind. When America was a young nation, homesteaders rode steamboats and rail cars in search of untouched land and the freedom to choose their own destiny, and in the mid-1860s expanded into the Montana territory. Despite its remote location, this town boasted 13 saloons, 20 mines, three livery stables, four hotels, four stores, two barbershops, a school, a doctors office, and a butcher shop. Nothing has been moved to Garnet to create the town or the illusion of a town. Garnet is an awesome spot to visit. within 20 miles of me in Garnet Virginia City, Montana. All Rights Reserved. Humans need that. Montana bridge collapses causing train carrying toxic materials Garnet has the Wells hotels, Kelly Saloon, Daveys Store and many outer buildings, preserved and intact. We see coyotes and foxes and a lot of black bears, too. Whitefish, MT. The town was all but deserted by the early 1940s, and in 1960, the Montana School of Mines declared that the mine was dead. Among the favorites was Kellys saloon, a two-story wooden building that offered alcohol, card games, and women. Many of the remaining structures were in poor condition even when they were lived in and regularly visited. Our main mission is to not turn Garnet into a tourist trap, or create something that wasnt; its to preserve what was left behind. Check out our video below to take a virtual walk through Garnet. Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown About 30 miles of mountain bike trails are available in the Garnet Range. 40 mile drive from Garnet WebThe Southwest Montana blog is a collection of stories from local Montanas looking to share their experiences from Big Sky Country. Featuring luxurious finishes like stained glass windows, it was large enough to host several of the towns annual gatherings. Although the town never had a bonanza strike, there were about fifty mines in the area. Step back in history by taking a stroll at Garnet Ghost Town. Adam, who always drives with a steady hand, drove at a snails pace. Garnet Montana During this period, she acted as the towns protector, deterring plunderers seeking to loot Garnets artifacts. Gold reserves dont last forever. Take a picnic, water, or some snacks with you to ensure you dont go hungry during your visit. places within 4 hours of me in Garnet There may not be real ghosts walking through the deserted rooms, but in many ways the people who made Garnet a special part of history never truly left. Pay tribute to Garnets last resident by visiting the Dahl house. Shingles were the common roof material. They're missing the entire experience! When visiting Garnet, especially if you are coming from I-90, its smart to detach your RV so it doesnt make the journey with you. Follow signs for 10 The town is at approximately 6,000 feet elevation. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Gold reserves dont last forever. Most of the mining towns in the area were just tent camps or shanty towns that wouldnt last more than a year or two. Garnet is a ghost town in Granite County, Montana, United States. We visited from I-90, by far the more challenging of the options. Fee of only $3 helps to restore and maintain the original 1800s era wooden buildings. Less than an hours drive from Missoula, Montana, and an easy detour fromYellowstone andGlacier national parks,Garnet is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the American West. Placer miners were active in the area as early as the 1860s and placer gold was found in the First Chance Gulch in 1865, most of which was recovered by drift diggings. Good bathroom facilities. It is truly a unique vacation destination, and you might even meet some other worldly guests during your stay, but there is a catch. Curious what life isreally like in a 19th-century mining camp turned tourist destination, we gave Thurman a ring so he could set the record straight once and for all. Very cool. You will not be disappointed. Garnet Day Mid June every year cities within 10 miles of me in Garnet After it was abandoned, treasure hunters and looters descended on Garnets buildings and stole furnishings and artifacts. (Photo by Sherb/Wikipedia)Sherb (talk), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Ancient rock-hewn town that witnessed key events of Georgian history. We are in a constant battle of fighting misinformation. I've been out there for six or seven years and by myself multiple times and I've never had any feelings of the paranormal. After it was abandoned, treasure hunters and looters descended on Garnets buildings and stole furnishings and artifacts. Related Articles Keep you eyes open folks. Today, over 50 buildings line Main Street; their historic log and frame structures reference Montana's formative years, giving visitors an authentic Old West experience. Garnet Did you get a lot of calls? Although we love to visit places that are off the beaten path, this one seemed to be a little further from the beaten pathor any paththan we had explored in a long time. :(, Montana is in my bucket list and this unfortunate news wont stop me to visit Montana in the future, however extreme precautions with Bears RIP In 1912 nearly half the town burned down and was never rebuilt. Were fortunate places like Garnet exist; they make understanding history more attainable. Dahl Cabin Two cots and three full-size beds This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The listing included 82 contributing buildings, 46 contributing structures, and 56 contributing sites, as well as four non-contributing buildings, on 134 acres (54ha).[1][2]. The road is single lane, dirt and is not maintained. Great hike through history. Image: Zruda Sign up for our FREE weekly email.Delivered to your inbox every Friday. Took the dirt road from Drummond, 8 miles, several up hills, switchbacks and rough. Ghost towns are a unique way to learn about history, and we were amazed by how well-preserved the small town was years after it was abandoned. The Resort at Paws Up More Info. In Garnet, youre close to civilization but youre not in it. 4 stars only because I wish I would have known by alltrails which road to take. It was named after the Somebody had to be pretty adventurous to invest a sum of money into this little mining town up in the mountains.What made it luxurious compared to other mining towns of the era? Garnet Ghost Town: Great - See 402 traveler reviews, 481 candid photos, and great deals for Missoula, MT, at Tripadvisor. Is there another ghost town in Rumor has it that miners spirits roam freely in Kellys saloon. The property had the most spectacular views, lovely rooms, delicious food At its peak, Garnet was home to approximately 1000 people. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. We will be in the area this summer and will stop for a look see.. Today Garnet is a land frozen in time. Located on the dirt Garnet Range Road, it is an abandoned mining town that dates from the 1860s. Garnet is a ghost town in Granite County, Montana, United States. Music and sometimes laughter emanate from this saloon, particularly in winter when few visitors are present. To think that those stair boards are 120 years old, and you can see how they're worn in the middle from people walking up and downthat really captures the past. We didnt try the roads from 200, but most people let us know they are much easier to traverse. A little-visited ghost town state park offers a glimpse into Montanas "Silver Queen.". Make sure to stop by the visitors center and say hello and meet our BLM Rangers and Bark Ranger Charlotte. Whats it like to spend the night at Garnet? 30 miles from Garnet - Within Hours Amazing history. Philipsburg, MT. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 21 min to complete. It is s.type = 'text/javascript'; The town was nearly abandoned by 1940 as the gold deposits became scarce, and a fire in 1912 destroyed many of the commercial buildings. The annual celebration the third Saturday of each year is Garnet Day. Do you agree that Garnet is thecreepiest ghost town in Montana? The wintertime is the best with the snow and the lack of people; its just so quiet and pristine and clean. The nicest home in Garnet is also the youngest. 120 years. 30 mile radius of Garnet It was named after the brown garnet rock which was used as an abrasive and a semi-precious stone found in the area. About The Author Garnet Today, most of the town is publicly owned, and is one of the best preserved gold rush towns in the nation under the management of the Bureau of Land Management. Marysville. Proceed 11 miles up the gravel road. Great stay in Missoula. Camping near Garnet is free as long as you are not within a half a mile of the town. The Garnet time zone is Mountain Daylight Time which is 7 Laurin. Its original to 1898hand-carved and very intricate. Despite this, Garnet is one of the state's best preserved ghost towns with 16,000 visitors annually. Restoration work at the site began in the 1970s. The structures being restored include the J.R. Wells Hotel, Dahl's Saloon, Kelly's Bar, and the F.A. By 1960 the Montana School of Mines declared the mine dead, unprofitable. Living close by I am lucky that I can go almost anytime. During the 1950s efforts were made to pump out the Nancy Hank mine. Expect steep timbered drainages that steeply rise from 4680 feet to about 7000 feet. The road to the right after the public parking area was very steep, EXTREMELY rocky and lots of holes. ghost town well preserved and accessible. Winner will be selected at random on 07/01/2023. In winter Garnet is a popular snowmobile and cross-country ski trip. Email Located on the dirt Garnet Range Road, it is an abandoned mining town that dates from the 1860s. Perhaps you would have been one of the first inhabitants of Garnet, the once-thriving community located about 30 miles east of Missoula, Montana. I started to rely on deep breathing activities. Fascinating history and shockingly well preserved! Camping on the Public Land is permitted for a maximum of 14 days. 1,000 people once called Garnet, MT home in the 1890s. If you're planning a road trip or exploring the local area, make sure you check out some of these places to get a feel for the surrounding community. Music and sometimes laughter emanate from this saloon, particularly in winter when few visitors are present. So much to see. Very well maintained, without taking away from their originality. Experts estimate that there are over 60 ghost towns in Montana. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. In the building business wood shingles are known as kindling! The Government Is Looking For Anyone To Stay In This Several hiking trails allow you to experience different aspects of the area, from the trek to scenic Warren Park to the mine operations of the Sierra and Forest Lode Claims. The mining town of Garnet is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the west. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. The US Government Offered Free Room and Board In This OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Local miners were much more interested in extracting the riches below the ground that building a town above it. Discovering Montana is a resource for those living and visiting the Treasure State. They still get gold from around the area. For more information on the ghost town, visit garnetghosttown.org. Supplies needed in Garnet were generally obtained from nearby Bearmouth. Working hard Garnet Ghost Town has two cabins available for rental during the winter. Excellent trail with lots of old buildings and items in them. The Lead Park Ranger of Montana's Garnet Ghost As the gold was exhausted prospectors began searching for the source of the gold in the mountains above the placer mines. By Ashlea Halpern May 17, 2023 Want more Roadside Americana? Garnet was originally named Mitchell in 1895 and had ten buildings. Main Attractions Admission is $3. Mountain Biking Clancy, Montana City Jefferson County Area Code 406. Get more stories delivered right to your email. In 2015, the Bureau of Land Managements Missoula Field Office issued a call for volunteers; in exchange for a labor commitment of one to two months, it would provide rustic cabin accommodations and a food stipend. People dress up and play old-fashioned games; there are burgers and hot dogs. Tucked away in the Montana Mountains, Garnet offers a stark reminder of the wests gold rush. The Creepiest Hike In Montana Takes You Through The Ruins Of An Abandoned Mining Town, Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Montana, The Tiny Town In Montana With A Terribly Creepy Past, Hear Sinister Stories From Montanas Favorite Ghost Town At This Spooky Event, Travel Back To The 1890s By Visiting Montanas Very Own Ghost Town, Everyone In Montana Should See Whats Inside The Gates Of This Abandoned Town, This Eerie And Fantastic Footage Takes You Inside Montanas Abandoned Air Force Barracks. There are moose, which is a little more rare, and elk, which are even rarer. For a truly otherworldly experience, Thurman recommends renting one of Garnets two cabins between December and April, when the town gets snowed in and is only accessible by snowmobile, snowshoes, or cross-country skis. Most of the buildings are closed but lots of information is posted. Is there another ghost town in Montana that you deem creepier or more eerie? Come 1905, most mines had been deserted, and Garnet only had 150 residents. Even now, our Missoula office doesnt go a single day without getting a phone call from someone saying, I saw online that the government will pay me to come re-establish this town. That couldnt be farther from the truth. The unfurnished third floor provided a shared space for guests who couldnt afford private rooms. Just go slow on the gravel road portion. Went there in July and the weather was beautiful and being at a higher elevation not too hot. Paranormal activities have also been spotted at the Wells Hotel. Required fields are marked *. 9 hours from Garnet, 30 miles north of Garnet Hiking Garnet is a historic mining ghost town located in west central Montana and sits at an elevation of about 6,000 feet at the head of First Chance Creek. Garnet Montana: Ghost Towns In Western Montana Near Drove all the way out to find out it is currently closed due to a wildfire. Unlike other Ghost Towns, every building is original to the site., and the location where it stands. This event set off an epic gold rush that caused Bannack's population to boom to over 3,000 by 1863. Toggle navigation. Building are number to help identify who owns the building and what business. Accommodation Seeley Lake, MT (25.4 mi.) I agreed with him. Located on the dirt Caretakers claim they sometimes hear footsteps and slamming doors in this hotel. From that moment, the boom was on as prospectors and mining companies flocked to Garnet. Iceland in Summer: Journey Through a Fabled Land, Peru: Machu Picchu and the Last Incan Bridges, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Freemasons, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Spring-Heeled Jack, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Gilles de Rais, Demystifying Artisanal Cheese With Jasper Hill Farm, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Historical Nonfiction: Research-Based Writing With Hadley Meares, An Introduction to Sensory History With Carolyn Purnell, Taxidermy Techniques: A Special 3-Part Series With Allis Markham, Tips for the Best Milky Way Images, From a Photographer Obsessed With It, Lost Something? Perched at a 6000 feet elevation, Garnet dates back to the 1890s. Curious as I was about visiting another Montana ghost town (we had spent time at the Bannack Ghost Town earlier that morning), I was starting to realize that we were one tire slip away from visiting as actual ghosts. The BLM stabilizes and preserves the remaining two dozen buildings and provides visitors a glimpse into this fascinating part of our past. Standard East Helena Lewis and Clark County Area Code 406. Image: Meredith Rendall Photography The area around Garnet Ghost town is full of natural features and offers plenty of recreational activities. Piltzville, MT (24.9 mi.) As World War II approached, the population of the town dwindled and eventually the town was left to the elements and vandals. Garnet, established in the 1890s, was the residential and commercial center for an area that was extensively mined between 1870 and 1920. These abandoned homes and businesses are downright haunting to discover, but also delightfully fun for ghost hunters and those seeking a little bit of thrilling adventure. We did not do that but instead took the Sierra Mine Interpretive Loop which looked at remnants of earlier (and later) mining activity beyond the boom years represented by the town. Hike the Placer Trail Cash, Personal Check (In State), Personal Check (Out Of State). places within 2 hours of me in Garnet In First Chance Gulch in western Montana, the town is located 11 miles up the Garnet Range Road, in mountains and forest. Thanks to these efforts, Garnet is among the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana. We're not used to being in buildings by ourselves or being in a town that has no one. Garnet is open year-round, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily during the summer and with reduced hours during the off-season. The Placer Trail is a detour on the Sierra Mine Loop. 3 hr drive from Garnet Of course this time of year (March) its probably still snowed in. 6,000 feet above sea level, the view from the top was worth it, and the charm and mystery of the Garnet Ghost Town was worth it as well. Garnet has several trails, perfect for hiking. Experienced hikers can look forward to conquering the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area. Love it!! WebIs Montanas Garnet Ghost Town Haunted? In Garnet, there was a grocery store, post office, a schoolhouse and ballparkand a lot of other jobs besides mining. Fields of beargrass and mining memorabilia dot this route. Saw quite a bit of benign wildlife! I zigzagged over 3 miles through the Ghost Town. By all means, have a spooky night here and confirm whether spirits roam Garnet. The third floor was anything but luxurious; it was heated only from warm air that would rise from the rooms below.
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