Gold Rush Towns of Montana

You can step back to 1863 in an instant when you visit Virginia City, Montana (about 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park). It’s an amazingly well preserved Victorian gold rush town that once was the capitol of the territory. I had read about the town in a book called Amazing Places to Take Your Kids. It was a short detour on our way to northwest Montana, so we decided to check it out.

I loved photographing the shops that were set up with great detail to portray the bygone era. This image shows the general store in Virginia City.

As we strolled the main street, we stopped to get some homemade ice cream (huckleberry, or course, since we were in MT) and some fantastic freshly made taffy.

After an hour or so, we finished our exploring and hopped back in the RV. Much to my delight, we hit upon Nevada City just a few miles down the road. Nevada City was also one of the largest mining camps in MT during the gold rush. It now houses over 90 historic buildings and several old trains, some of which were brought from other areas around Montana.  There’s a small fee to tour the museum, but it is well worth it.

TrainsWagon

School HouseLaundry in China TownSaddlery

Market in China Town

Wheels by the Jail

My favorite part of Nevada City, was definitely the Music Hall. There’s no admission to enter, however,  you may want to bring some spare change to make the nickelodeons work. According to the www.goldwest.visitmt.com website, “The Music Hall now contains perhaps the world’s largest collection of band organs and music machines on public display, including possibly the largest band organ in the world.”

Also, don’t miss the Sedman House, a Victorian house with fully furnished rooms.

The area is not only educational for kids and adults, it’s a whole lot of fun for a photographer!