Want to experience what mining life was like in the late 1800s? Exploring Independence ghost town will take you back in time.
The town of Independence, located high in the Absaroka Mountains at an altitude of about 10,000 feet, is full of Montana’s hidden beauty and history.
History of Independence, Montana
Independence came into being in 1864 after they discovered gold in the area. Even so, gold mining never took place until after two decades since the land belonged to Crow Indians.
After being forced by the government, Crow Indians finally ceded the land in 1882. Miners began flocking to the area immediately, ready for the gold mining business.
Miners made small finds in Basin Creek and upper Boulder River areas, but their work was only on a small scale. This happened until 1888, which marked the beginning of the town’s boom with the introduction of the first stamp mill.
Mines such as Hidden Treasure, King Solomon, Independence, and Daisy sprung up between 1889 and 1891.
The town was at its peak during this period, boasting about 500 men and several women living, working, and enduring its severe climate conditions.
Businesses also emerged, including two general stores, four saloons, two gambling halls, one post office, a restaurant, a hotel, and several cabins. Independence never had a church, school, or bank despite its growth.
Gold production was high in the Independence district, and by 1893, mines had yielded about $42,000 in gold bullion. But due to poor management and transportation, this boom was short-lived.
The challenges led to the closure of the Independence mine in the same year.
The mine later re-opened in 1894 but would shut again due to a fire bringing down the district’s only mining mill in 1904.
With this fire, Independence quickly moved from a gold town to a ghost town since many people left. The few left in the area completely abandoned it in 1950.
Today, Independence only has a few falling cabins. It’s truly a ghost town.
