Mining our Business

Today we crossed the Continental Divide - another landmark on our trek across this country. We are on our way now to Butte, Montana. Butte is the site of the largest mining pit in the Continental U.S.

Since the pumps were turned off at this mine in the early 1980's the pit has filled with over 800 feet of water. The water level is rising at 20 feet per year and the prediction is that within the next 25 to 40 years, the polluted water will reach the rim. John and I left the mine's observation tower with the sense of having visited a mile wide cesspool.

Further up from the mining pit is Historic Butte and the World Mining Museum. Old relics of 1900 mining tools lay un-used there. A walk through the museum and a preserved western town took us back in time.

From Butte we headed further West to Garnet Ghost Town, a small dot on the map that John noticed while thumbing through a Montana catalog. Ten miles up a windy gravel logging road we came to the foot of the best preserved ghost town in these hills.

Garnet was a remote gold mining town in the later 1800's and early 1900's. Nearly 1000 people resided in this town that boasted over 32 buildings (4 Stores, 4 Hotels, 3 Livery Stables, 2 Barber Shops, a Union Hall, a School, a Butcher Shop, a Candy Shop, a Doctor's Office, Assay Office, and 13 Saloons).

In and around the town there were 20 operating mines. By 1917, an estimated $950,000 in gold had been extracted from them. The onset of World War I drew most residents away however, and Garnet went into disuse. By the 1920's, Garnet was a ghost town.

When gold prices rose in 1934, Garnet experienced a revival. But again a World War drew the population away and in 1948 most items from the abandoned town were auctioned off.

Life in Garnet was more family oriented than in other mining camps. Community celebrations were held at the Minor's Union Hall, as well as Dance Socials every Saturday. Visitors frequented the town and would stay at the elaborate J. K. Wells Hotel. Signs of their stay are still evident. Boots and suitcases still occupy the abandoned rooms and an occasional bottle of whiskey sits idle on a forgotten window sill.

As we walked up the slow rising slope away from the hidden town, John and I both wondered if there was still might be gold in them there hills.