Virginia City, Montana – A Town Built From Gold

In 1863, a group of prospectors were en route to an area near the Yellowstone River but never made it. Members of the Crow Indian Tribe forced them on a different course and thereby changed the course of history in the Northwestern U.S. in the ensuing years. Two members of the group discovered gold near Alder Creek on May 26, 1863, and couldn’t keep their find a secret.

Within weeks, thousands descended into that area in a rush for gold. A boomtown erupted, and, in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law creating the Montana Territory, and Virginia City became the first capital. Helen and I came to Ennis, Montana, for a four-day visit and decided to drive the 15 miles from the Ennis RV Campground to soak up a few nuggets of history…the gold was long gone.

We arrived late in the morning and decided to walk the main street before making a stop for lunch. As has been the experience throughout our RV trip, the crowds were small, and we moved through the shops and buildings with little difficulty. Masks are mandatory in public buildings in Montana, and we complied–gladly.

Virginia City, designated as a National Historic Landmark, is quite impressive. Many of the buildings that sprang up during the gold rush when thousands of people occupied the area remain. Most of the buildings fell into disrepair when the gold ran out, and the townspeople moved on, turning Virginia City into a ghost town (the 2010 census revealed a population of 190 people). A group of generous benefactors began restoring Virginia City around 1940 before it collapsed in ruins.

While strolling through the town, we read the historical markers posted on almost every building taking pictures–lots of them. Because I wanted to give the proper feel to this post, I decided to take the images in Sepia for a “tin-type” effect. I think it captures Virginia City as an old western town from bygone days. I hope you agree.

The last picture is Road Agents Roost, a German restaurant, and our lunch stop. The food was outstanding. We finished our meal during a torrential hailstorm that followed us back to Ennis. I’ll share that story with readers later this week, Wi-Fi connection permitting. Please come back.

Hopefully, this post makes it into cyberspace; we’re in a pretty remote area up here; eleven miles east of Idaho border, and fifty miles south of border with Canada (Troy, MT), and staying connected has been a challenge. Nevertheless, we’re having a fantastic time…and, just Easin’ Along.