Relive the Old West era by paying homage to Bannack Ghost Town, the former gold rush Mecca.
Bannack is a Montana ghost town located in Beaverhead County, located on Grasshopper Creek, and close to the town of Dillon. Bannack holds the history and mysteries of the wild west. The town’s name was a tribute to the nearby Bannock Indians.
This remote mining town came into being in 1862 when John White discovered gold near Grasshopper Creek. Gold prospectors flocked to the area quickly, making Bannack a flourishing mining town. In 1864, it briefly served as Montana’s territorial capital.
At the height of the gold boom, Bannack was home to approximately 10000 residents. During this period, several businesses sprouted, including four saloons, two stables, three bakeries, two meat markets, and three blacksmith stores. Others were a brewery, a restaurant, a grocery store, and a billiard hall.
Legendary characters graced Bannack, the most famous being Sheriff Henry Plummer.
Plummer was a lawman and even built gallows to convict criminals. However, he secretly led a ruthless gang that attributed to several deaths. Bannack vigilantes soon learned about this and hanged Plummer and his two deputies without trial.
Bannack Montana Ghost Town, What You Need to Know
Bannack went from gold to ghost town in the mid-20th century when gold reserves in the area petered out. By 1960, the town had been completely abandoned. Today, this empty mining town is a national historic landmark run as Bannack State Park.
Unlike other ghost towns, Bannack has plenty of original buildings still standing strong. The park spans 1,529 acres with an elevation of 5,837 feet.
