Revered for its frontier architecture, Elkhorn Ghost Town is an abandoned site that sits hidden in the Elkhorn Mountains, southeast of Helena.
True to its name, Elkhorn has been lifeless for over 50 years. The 2010 US census report placed the total number of residents in this town as 10.
A visit to this place is a bona fide step to the gold and silver rush era. In the late 1800s, Treasure State was blessed with abundant minerals, including silver. It wasn’t long before towns sprung up, with men looking to strike it rich.
The story of Elkhorn dates back to the second wave of the silver rush. In 1872, Peter Wys, a swiss immigrant, discovered lodes of silver in the Elkhorn Mountains.
Come 1878, a mine was already in place thanks to the Helena native, Anton Holter. From then, the area became a permanent stop for treasure hunters.
At its pinnacle, Elkhorn was home to approximately 2500 inhabitants, the majority being families and European immigrants. During this period, stores, brothels, saloons, a church, a school, a railroad, and a Fraternity Hall sprung up. It’s estimated that over $14 million worth of silver was mined at Elkhorn
Elkhorn’s death knell came when silver was devalued at the turn of the century. A diphtheria epidemic was also spreading, forcing many families to relocate. The mine was permanently shut in 1937.
By the 1970s, Elkhorn had become a ghost town with only a handful of residents. Today, this remnant mining town is home to a state park and a few private residences.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Elkhorn Ghost Town Montana and the surrounding area.
Your Guide to Elkhorn Ghost Town
The Top 3 Hotels Near Elkhorn Ghost Town
