Bannack, MT

September 22nd, 2012

If a place could truly be described as in the middle of nowhere, it would be Bannack.

Bannack is a ghost town in Montana. Aside from the park ranger in the visitor center, Shelby and I were the only people in town. We wandered through the buildings where floors sagged, paint was peeling, and the only sounds were our own footsteps.

It felt strange to walk around places that used to be people's homes.

Bannack's homes are empty, the shops are closed, and the street is silent. However, according to historical accounts, it was a rough mining town in the 1860s and 70s. One lady wrote in a letter sent back east that people were afraid to leave their homes due to all the shootings and fights.    

View from the hotel



Even with its peeling paint and dusty floors, it was easy to imagine how grand the hotel must have been 150 years ago.



The ceiling in the hotel appeared to be around 18 feet high.

Saloon where a majority of the fights broke out that led to shootings--times haven't changed, sadly.

The story of how the town's only place of worship came to be built was fascinating. I'm including the official story from the state park's website, in case anyone is interested.
Brother Van arrived in Bannack at the peak of the mining activity. He found all the gambling houses and bars open on Sunday. Stepping up to the bar, he announced himself as a minister. The bartender whistled the crowd to quietness and informed them that the bar would be closed for "one hour." Brother Van had his chance and in his marvelous singing voice sang a popular song of that Day, "A Diamond in the Rough." The crowd, hungry for entertainment, asked for more. Brother Van, continued and the crowd got a good hours worth of religion.


In August of 1877, Bannack had a major Indian scare. Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians had just defeated General Gibbon at the bloody Battle of the Big Hole. Word reached the isolated little community that the Indians were on the rampage and headed straight for Bannack. People from around the area gathered in Bannack to seek protection. Two lookouts were built on the highest points of the hills on either side of Hangman's Gulch for early warning. In case of a siege, the local water supply was barricaded. The women and children were gathered in the brick fortress, The Hotel Meade. Some stories tell of hiding the children in the safes located inside the hotel. Although the Indians killed four settlers in Horse Prairie, they never came close to Bannack. The bodies of the settlers were brought to town and buried by Brother Van Orsdel.

After it was apparent that the town was safe from attack, Brother Van, being the promoter that he was, took advantage of the large number of settlers in town and talked them into building the first real church building in Bannack.

The ghost town of Bannack is one of the most interesting places I have ever visited. I highly recommend a tour of this fascinating place in Montana history!