Bannack

Gold was discovered on the banks of Grasshopper Creek a few miles downstream from Bannack on July 28, 1862. John White is acknowledged to have made the first discovery. Although the creek had been named Willard Creek by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, the prospectors were unaware of this and named the stream Grasshopper Creek because of the large number of grasshoppers along the banks. This was the first major gold strike in Montana and it started the second largest gold rush in the history of the United States.

By the fall of 1862 approximately 500 miners had arrived and with the onset of cold weather they began constructing cabins and a small fort. By the next spring 3,000 people were living in Bannack.

Bannack is noted for many firsts, the first recorded mining claim, the first Quartz stamping mill, the first sawmill, the first territorial capital of Montana, the first territorial school house, the first jail, the first Masonic meeting, the first electric gold dredge to operate in North America, and the first hydro electric generator.

One of the more interesting things to occur at Bannack was the hanging of the sheriff, Henry Plummer and his two deputies, by a group of Vigilantes on the night of January 12, 1864. Although Sheriff Plummer was the duly elected law officer it was learned that he was the leader of a gang of outlaws that were responsible for the murder of over 100 people and countless robberies. A group of citizens banded together and formed a secret organization known as the Vigilantes. In one month the Vigilantes captured and hung over 20 know outlaws. The rest of the outlaw gang decided to leave Montana for health reasons!

Over the years the population of Bannack would rise and fall with the success of the gold mines. As World War II began all non-essential mining was prohibited. This was the beginning of the end for the town of Bannack. Although sporadic mining occurred after the war the gold mining boom period had ended. Bannack became a ghost town as families moved on to areas where jobs could be found.

In 1954 a group of citizens from Dillon, Montana presented the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks the deed to the town of Bannack. Since that time many of the buildings have been stabilized to prevent further decay. The sense of abandonment is very real as you walk the streets of Bannack. It is easy to use your imagination and go back in time to the days when miners, dance hall girls, families and even outlaws like Henry Plummer roamed the streets.

Today Bannack encompasses more than 1,500 acres and has two primitive campgrounds. Several events take place during the year including Bannack Days when the town comes alive with shootouts, old time skill demonstrations, wagon rides, old time music and other attractions. This event takes place on the third weekend in July to commemorate the discovery of gold at Bannack. Guided town tours are available during the summer but the park is open year round.

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