Ghost Town
Alder Gulch
Overview
Service & Activities
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
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
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