Cable

One might say the town was born because the horses were lost. In a very real sense, that's exactly what happened. Three prospectors made camp for the night. When they awoke the next morning, their horses were gone. While searching for the animals, they came across a vertical pillar of quartz that extended downward nearly 1000 feet.

They named their find Atlantic Cable Lode as a tribute to the laying of the trans-ocean cable. With help from bankers in Helena, funds were provided for the construction of a mill and other equipment.

Throughout the 1870s, one problem after another beset the mine including disagreements among the three owners. As a result, operations ceased in 1877. Under new ownership, operations began again in 1883. The mines produced a fortune in the next few years but were closed again in 1891. Opened again in 1906, ore production lasted until 1940. The property is closed to visitors due to vandalism.

Contact Information:

Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest
Pintler Ranger District
1 Hollenback Rd.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722

Phone: 406-846-1770

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