Ghost Town Alder Gulch

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Website http://www.virginiacity.com Email info@virginiacity.com Phone 406-843-5555

Overview Service & Activities

About In 1863 Bill Fairweather and his party discovered gold in southwestern Montana. They were on their way to Yellowstone Country from Bannack but were waylaid by a band of Crows. While hiding from the Indians in a gulch they found gold. They named the gulch after the alder trees lining the gulch. Alder was one of the great gold producers of all time. The site of the largest placer gold strike in world history. It produced $10,000,000.00 during the first year. A year later the boom town of Virginia City had a population of 10,000. People lived in makeshift tents and shacks and every third construction was a saloon. The site gave birth to two of Montana's most famous towns: Virginia City and Nevada City. The discoveries at Alder Gulch drew people away from Bannack, reducing the population, making Virginia City the first territorial capitol.

Contact

MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 218
Virginia City, MT 59755

CONTACT 406-843-5555

Details

SEASON Memorial Day - Labor Day

HOURS Daily

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS Alder Gulch is located west of Virginia City, in the southwestern area of Montana, on US Highway 287.

SERVICES

ACTIVITIES American Heritage Antiques Archaeology Art Art Gallery Art Show Childrens Activities Cultural Education Exhibit Folk Art Heritage History Museum Photography Storytelling Theatre/Theater Tour