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Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings

	BANNACK Montana
Location: Beaverhead County. Bannack State Park The Bannack Association

Ownership and Administration. Various private owners; and the State of Montana, State Park Commission.

Significance. In 1862, after a gold strike in Montana on Grasshopper Creek, the usual rush occurred and miners founded the town of Bannack—later the first Territorial capital of Montana. Because of richer discoveries elsewhere and the lack of water, however, most of the population soon drifted to other camps, such as Alder Gulch (Virginia City). Then between 1866 and 1870 five ditches brought the water that made placer mining possible. In 1895 an electric dredge was first used. Mineral production was steady, but never spectacular. Bannack gained widespread fame, however, because of the activities of the Plummer gang in the vicinity and the ensuing vigilante action, in which Virginia City shared. In 1864 the residents hanged Plummer at Hangman's Gulch near Bannack. A few mines still operate in the vicinity, but the town ceased to exist in 1938 and the post office was closed.

Bannack, Montana, the first Territorial capital and site of one of the earliest strikes in the Territory.

Present Appearance. Bannack is an excellent example of a Western ghost town. The main street, a dirt road, is lined with weather beaten one-story log cabins, partially hidden by sagebrush and greasewood, frame false-fronted stores, and a church. Two imposing structures are a two-story frame schoolhouse and a red brick structure that served as the first Territorial capitol of Montana. Of special interest is the old jail, a solid wooden building that has a sod roof and dirt floor, small barred windows, and tiny cells. A path leads through the sagebrush to Hangman's Gulch, where a replica of the gallows may be seen. Overlooking Outlaws' Cemetery are two other burial grounds, where lie many gold seekers. Recently Bannack became a State park. [17]

NHL Designation: 07/04/61