Elkhorn Cabins
ELKHORN (ghost town / state park / private), MT, US / MT
Location Description
Elkhorn is an old mining town, just up the road from Boulder, and it's home to Montana’s smallest state park. At less than an acre in size, the park encompasses two historic buildings that have been weathered with time. Elkhorn State Park is located in the southwestern part of Montana. It can be reached from Boulder off of I-15. Go 7 miles south on Highway 69, left over small bridge then right onto gravel road 13 miles, bearing left at each of two forks in the road. History: The community is named after the Elkhorn lode discovered by Swiss miner Peter Wyes in 1869. By 1883, Helena industrialist Anton M. Holter had constructed a 10-stamp mill and created highly productive silver-lead operation. In 1886, the Northern Pacific Railroad constructed a spur line called the Helena, Boulder Valley & Butte Railroad, expanding opportunities for commerce and mining. The repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 led to a silver panic, shutting down numerous Montana silver mines, but Elkhorn survived until 1901. In 1889, most of Elkhorn's children died of diphtheria epidemic and were buried in the local cemetery. In the 1980's, Montana designated the cemetery and 2 buildings in the Elkhorn ghost town a state park, one of Montana's smallest. In 1993, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks stabilized the Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, both are listed in the national register. During this peak period, Elkhorn had 2,500 inhabitants, a school, a hotel, a church, stores, saloons, and brothels. Unlike most mining towns, Elkhorn was populated mostly by families of married European immigrants. In 1893, the Fraternity Hall was constructed for social gatherings, and still remains as one of the most well-preserved buildings in modern Elkhorn.
Location Category
- CITIES / TOWNS - [general]
- CITIES / TOWNS - [general]
- CITIES / TOWNS - Mountain Towns
- CITIES / TOWNS - Western / Ghost Towns
- CITIES / TOWNS - Western / Ghost Towns
- HOUSES - [general]
- HOUSES - Cottages / Cabins
- HOUSES - Period Homes / Historic
- INDUSTRIAL - Abandoned Structures
- INDUSTRIAL - Quarries / Mines
- INDUSTRIAL - Quarries / Mines
- INDUSTRIAL - Quarries / Mines
- LANDSCAPES - [general]
- LANDSCAPES - Forests / Wilderness
- TRIBAL / NATIVE AMERICAN - [general]
- TRIBAL / NATIVE AMERICAN - [general]
- TRIBAL / NATIVE AMERICAN - [general]
- TRIBAL / NATIVE AMERICAN - [general]
- TRIBAL / NATIVE AMERICAN - [general]
