2013 Western Trip – Virginia City, MT

In looking for another activity to do prior to heading to Yellowstone after Labor Day, we took a drive up to Virginia City, MT.  Like many western towns, Virginia City (no relation to Virginia City, NV) sprang into existence because of a gold discovery at nearby Alder Creek.  By the 1940’s it was a virtual ghost town and, again, like many western towns, it has recreated itself as a tourist attraction – hard to believe that with 190 people, it is the seat of Madison County and was once the capital of the newly created Montana Territory – back when it had 10,000 residents.

Unlike Virginia City, NV where the old structures now house new businesses, several here have been restored to look as they originally did, while others have ongoing new businesses but the outsides all seem to be original.

Quite a variety of architecture exits in the towns buildings.  While the girls checked out the shops, I checked out the Pioneer Bar, in operation since 1863.

On the way home, we drove by the 190' deep by six mile long  Quake Lake which was formed when a 1959 earthquake resulted in a big piece of hillside falling (on a campground) and damming the Madison River.

We also drove past the very big (65 miles of shoreline) man made Hebgen Lake which is noted for its fishing and since I saw no power generation, I assume it was built primarily for water storage.

This is indeed a pretty part of the country even without Yellowstone – different than the East, but still pretty.

Photos best if enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

9/2/2013 event date