deer lodge prison

This trip became a little touristy we decide to see some amazing large abandoned buildings that were historic sites. We chose sites that had not been restored but instead preserved in their decaying state. This prison was the perfect location to see. Part of many other museums the prison was what we came to see.

guard tunnels

theater

old theater

chapel

view of the old theater

bannack - ghost town

Bannack is a tourist town, and usually we don't do tourist ghost towns but this one is quite unique. This old mining town was completely abandoned and has some beautiful old buildings. We visited all the open buildings and were fortunate to find a worker who let us into the Masonic Hall which had a schoolhouse on the bottom. A very unique building we are told they still have meetings here and a bit about its history. The hotel was my favorite building as it had a spiral staircase and can still be used for events. The whole town has a fascinating history and the houses have not been restored but instead are in their natural decaying state but protected by the state.

Many many houses and shops lined the street, an old mill can also be seen and a graveyard. This unique town was well worth our time and a small fee.

"Bannack was founded in 1862 when John White discovered gold on Grasshopper Creek. As news of the gold strike spread many prospectors and businessmen rushed to Bannack hoping to strike it rich. In 1864, Bannack was named as the first Territorial Capital of Montana. Remaining in Bannack for only a short time, the Capital moved on to Virginia City. In 1863 gold had been discovered near Virginia City and at that time many prospectors left Bannack in hopes of finding the mother lode in Virginia City. However, some people stayed in Bannack and explored the use of further mining techniques. From the late 1860's to the 1930's, Bannack continued as a mining town with a fluctuating population. By the 1950's gold workings had dwindled and most folks had moved on. At that point the State of Montana declared Bannack a State Park. Today, over sixty structures remain standing, most of which can be explored."

http://www.bannack.org/

School interior

School interior

Hotel Interior

Hotel Meade

Inside the church

Masonic Temple & School

tourist ghost town

On our trip we decided to visit a ghost town that is a known tourist location in the area. It is an old city turned ghost town. The family that lives there tried to restore a few buildings and make it a tourist site. With only the museum and few other buildings restored they have not/will not finish the other buildings in the works.

We took a tour of the museum. Full of artifacts, photographs and other interesting items it was well worth our time and money. Our tour guide was full of knowledge and made the experience fun. I learned alot about the town and it was neat to look around at what was left today.

This if what always continues to fascinate me about this hobby. Seeing photographs and hearing stories about a place when it was at its best and then looking at it today.

Anyways, here are some photographs from the town.

gravestones

with a "state of the art" hydrant system the city still burnt

creek ran through the town

original bank safe

brothel house