Alder Gulch - Virginia City   Virigina City Chamber of Commerce Virginia City, MT 59755 Phone: 406-843-5555 Toll Free: 800-829-2969       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 territorial capital from 1865 to 1875.   Alder Gulch is located west of Virginia City, in the southwestern area of Montana, on US Highway 287. American Heritage Antiques Archaeology Art Art Gallery Art Show Childrens Activities Cultural Education Exhibit Folk Art Heritage History Museum Storytelling Theatre/Theater Tour FREE Gold West travel info - call 1-800-879-1159 or request online 1155 Main Street - Deer Lodge, MT 59722 If you know the name of the business or event you are looking for click below: 1 - F   |   G - L   |   M - S   |   T - Z Accommodations | Attractions | Things To Do | Events | Communities | Dining Photos & Videos | Maps | Links | Vacation Deals | Contact Us © 2004 Gold West Country and Tempest Technologies, LLC. Site designed by Tempest Technologies, LLC.