Skip to main content
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
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

See what's nearby

Filter:
Show All
Where To Stay
Things To Do
Food And Drink
Grid View
List View

A Stay on Madison River

Vacation Home
Ennis, MT

Adventures Outfitting LLC

Outfitter/Guide
Ennis, MT

Albro Lake Trail

National Forest Trail
Pony

Alder Bridge

Fishing Access Site
Alder

Alder Gulch Short Line

Rail Tour
Virginia City, MT

Alpenglow

Bar
Big Sky, MT

Alpenglow Condo 33A

Condominium
Big Sky, MN

Ancient Paths Farm

Cabin
Sheridan, MT

Antone Cabin

National Forest Cabin
Ennis