Not far from Missoula and the modern day attractions of the second largest city in Montana resides a monument with a history that stretches back to the late 1800s. The Garnet Ghost Town not only provides visitors with a glimpse into the past, but also celebrates a legacy that has enabled a tremendous impact on the economy and culture of the present.
From a Thriving Mining Town to Abandoned Ghost Town
In the 1800s, the mountains surrounding what would become the Garnet Ghost Town were rich in gold-bearing quartz, and it’s what attracted settlers to the area. Settlements grew overnight around mining claims, and in 1895 the town of Garnet was born. By January 1898 nearly 1,000 people resided in Garnet.
Miners and entrepreneurs put up buildings without much thought, most of which were not built on any sort of foundation. Numerous stores, stables, offices and even a school filled out the town, but all of it was based on existing or future mining claims. The future of the town was tied to the twenty odd mines that were in operation, and things would change for both in short order.
After 1900 many mine owners leased their mines out, the gold having become scarcer and harder to mine. By 1905, many of the mines were abandoned and the town’s population had shrunk to about 150. A fire in the town’s business district in 1912 destroyed numerous commercial buildings, which also shattered any real hope of economic recovery. Most of the remaining residents moved away in search of new opportunities, and by the 1920’s the town was almost completely empty.
The Great Depression provided an opportunity for Garnet to be revived, as a new wave of miners moved into abandoned cabins and began re-working the mines. However, the onset of World War II compelled many of the residents to pursue defense-related opportunities. By the 1940’s, Garnet was a ghost town.
Today, most of the town is publically owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The BLM is dedicated to preserving what remains of the two-dozen buildings in Garnet, and doing so has provided an especially unique experience for the thousands of people that visit the site annually.
A Literal Step into the Past
Garnet is one of Montana’s most intact ghost towns. Visitors can explore the town on their own or ask a ranger for a tour, and that choice can be an important one since many of the buildings are in different stages of disrepair. Some have had entire floors and staircases built/rebuilt to allow visitors access, while others have essentially been cordoned off.
Garnet Ghost Town allows visitors to literally step into the past, as many of the buildings, layout, furnishings, equipment and other details of the town have been preserved in the state in which they were abandoned. While certain buildings have been stabilized and most abandoned items have been arranged to showcase how they were used, much of what’s on display conveys a genuine sense of what life was like during Garnet’s life span from 1895 to 1948.
Plaques are displayed outside most of the buildings that detail the history of each structure. The buildings that housed the saloon, hotel and store all have rich histories, and stories about how the town jail turned into a residence are also on display for visitors to engage with in whatever manner they choose.
These experiences have created a powerful impact on the economy and culture of Garnet Ghost Town itself, which is being realized in numerous ways.
A Variety of Experiences and Activities
The Garnet Ghost Town itself has become one of the top attractions in the area, but touring the site is just one of the things visitors can do there. Numerous trails are accessible from the Garnet parking lot, and these include the Warren Park Trail, the Sierra Mine Loop Trail and the Placer Trail. These trails are in addition to camping and fishing activities in the nearby area.
Numerous education opportunities have also been created at the Garnet Ghost Town to engage students and the surrounding community at large. School Tours are weather dependent and are usually available late May through the middle of September. Additionally, the Visitors Center has details about scavenger hunts that allow participants to search for items hidden throughout the town.
This variety of experiences and activities have enabled the monument to pull in an audience from all over, and that audience directly and indirectly supports the preservation efforts of the BLM. The standard fee to enter Garnet Ghost Town is $3 for each person over 16, and the gift shop contains a variety of items that are only available for purchase in Garnet. These items help fund Garnet Ghost Town preservation and enhancement projects.
For anyone who wants to support these efforts in a more noticeable way, “Explore Ghost Town” License plates funds go to preserving these kinds of sites across the state. The license plates are available for cars, trucks and trailers, and all of these funds go toward the preservation of ghost towns in Montana, including Garnet. The effort is a perfect illustration of the kind of legacy the Garnet Ghost Town celebrates and preserves.
Turning the Remains of the Past into a Legacy for the Future
Like other monuments that have been constructed out of materials that would otherwise be discarded, Garnet Ghost Town isn’t a monument that could have been erected in any other place, in any other manner. The fact that it has been able to make such a strong impact on the economy and culture of the region showcases what’s possible when the potential of a site is both recognized and realized.
