Garnet "Ghost Town", Montana
First of all, it you plan to visit, I'd recommend entering off Highway 200 and not directly from Highway 90, unless you have a high-clearance vehicle. We came in off 90 with our Acura and the road was really too primitive for this car. It took us almost an hour to traverse the 10 bumpy miles...
In 1898 Garnet was a bustling mining town with over 1000 residents. Four stores, four hotels, three livery stables, two barber shops, a union hall, a school (with 41 students), a butcher shop, a candy shop, a doctor’s office, an assay office, and thirteen saloons comprised the town. During its heyday over 60,000 ounces of gold, 50,000 ounces of silver and 60,000 ounces of copper (with an estimated combined value of $950,000) were excavated from the 20 mines surrounding Garnet. By 1905 the rich veins of minerals were mostly tapped out and only 150 people remained. In 1912 a raging fire destroyed half of the town, which was never rebuilt, and Garnet was officially "abandoned" in 1947 when Frank Davey, the last resident, died. 
Since 1972, the Bureau of Land Management and the Garnet Preservation Association have worked together to preserve many original buildings. The goal is to keep Garnet as authentic as possible, retaining the ghostly nature of the abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, most of the town's original furnishings were looted before the preservation efforts began, but the site is still well worth the visit. Because of the reliance on wood for building construction, these places are quickly disappearing, even with preservation efforts. Garnet may be one of our last opportunities to to experience an authentic piece of our pioneer heritage.
Today thirty building remain, including a mix of commercial buildings and miner's cabins.
Preservation efforts include replacing some items (from donations) to recreate a flavor of the era. There is no commercialization of the town so there is a real authentic feel to the area.
In 1898 Garnet was a bustling mining town with over 1000 residents. Four stores, four hotels, three livery stables, two barber shops, a union hall, a school (with 41 students), a butcher shop, a candy shop, a doctor’s office, an assay office, and thirteen saloons comprised the town. During its heyday over 60,000 ounces of gold, 50,000 ounces of silver and 60,000 ounces of copper (with an estimated combined value of $950,000) were excavated from the 20 mines surrounding Garnet. By 1905 the rich veins of minerals were mostly tapped out and only 150 people remained. In 1912 a raging fire destroyed half of the town, which was never rebuilt, and Garnet was officially "abandoned" in 1947 when Frank Davey, the last resident, died. 
Since 1972, the Bureau of Land Management and the Garnet Preservation Association have worked together to preserve many original buildings. The goal is to keep Garnet as authentic as possible, retaining the ghostly nature of the abandoned buildings. Unfortunately, most of the town's original furnishings were looted before the preservation efforts began, but the site is still well worth the visit. Because of the reliance on wood for building construction, these places are quickly disappearing, even with preservation efforts. Garnet may be one of our last opportunities to to experience an authentic piece of our pioneer heritage.
Today thirty building remain, including a mix of commercial buildings and miner's cabins.
Preservation efforts include replacing some items (from donations) to recreate a flavor of the era. There is no commercialization of the town so there is a real authentic feel to the area.
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