Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Day 2 of the Anniversary Adventure

After spending Wednesday night in a very quaint old hotel in Philipsburg, we drove to this ghost town and wandered around looking at the old buildings. There were reader boards in front of any building that still had remains there that explained what type of building it was and what took place there.

The town had 18 saloons, most just across the street from the Union Hall, several banks, four churches, and one school house. One newspaper, a hospital and a bath house for the miners needs.
This old building was the Granite's Miner's Union Hall that sat on Main Street. The top story was the town dance hall where dances were held every Saturday night. The lower floor held several pool tables where many miners past the evenings together.


The town, known as "Montana's Silver Queen", sat on the side of the mountain 4miles up Granite Mountain just outside of Philipsburg.


This very sturdy home was the Mine Superintendent's home. There were no stairs inside the house to reach the upper floor. Outside at the rear of the house is a door at the second floor level. It is believed that there were stairs to this door and it held what they think was the Superintendents office. Apparently the miners who came to the office we not allowed into the home. Obviously the Superintendent lived much better than the rest of the community!
This is a photo of the actual mine which is just south of town. The buildings to the right are where the material started to be processed before being sent 4 miles down the hill by aerial tram to the Stamp Mill.
This is the Head Rig that sits over the mine shaft. The devise raises and lowers men and equipment into the mine.


Because the ground was so rocky in Granite, there were no cemeteries to bury the town's people. They were taken down the hill into Philipsburg where they were buried in the cemetery there.

The last resident of Granite was a lady how lived here by herself until her death in 1969. Her home can still be found on main street.

2 comments:

Jennifer AKA keewee said...

Ghost towns are so interesting to look around, and you can almost feel the inhabitants of bygone times.

Ginco said...

You are sharing very interesting photos Hostagirl, here again I must admit I'm getting a little homesick!
What a brave woman to live out there all on her own - I will definately go insane. I love peace and tranquility, but loneliness and isolation, hooo!!

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