Near Dillon in Beaverhead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Bannack Historical District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

1. Bannack Historical District Marker

Inscription. Bannack epitomizes the tough, primitive towns that sprang up with gold discoveries. Its story also illustrates a century of survival, through boom and bust periods associated with resource extraction and technological advances. On July 28, 1862, prospectors John White and company made a lucky strike, triggering Montana’s first major gold rush. Miners—many from Idaho’s crowded Salmon River diggings—swarmed over the Continental Divide. By spring 1863, Bannack had 3,000 inhabitants. The town saw six vigilante hangings, including that of its infamous sheriff, Henry Plummer. Briefly designated capital of the new Montana Territory in 1864, the first legislature met here in a crude log cabin. While other gold strikes stole Bannack’s initial population, the town rebounded in the 1870s and served as the Beaverhead County seat until 1881. The Masonic Lodge Hall/School (1874), Methodist Church (1877), and the Hotel Meade built as the Beaverhead County courthouse (1875) reflect this period. Evidence of hydraulic, dredge, and hard rock mining interrupt the landscape. Montana’s first quartz claims initiated hard rock mining

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here in 1862 and stamp mills soon operated alongside placer mining. Changing technologies produced new boom periods and other changes to Bannack. Electrification of the mines in 1930 brought electricity to the town. Despite its varied fortunes, the community held together while local mills operated sporadically until World War II. The State of Montana acquired most of the town in 1954, and a few residents remained until the early 1970s. Bannack features multi-period buildings spanning the primitive 1860s, urbanized 1870s-1880s, and early twentieth century. In 1961, Bannack earned status as a National Historic Landmark.

Erected by Montana National Register Sign Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1862.

Location. 45° 9.744′ N, 112° 59.934′ W. Marker is near Dillon, Montana, in Beaverhead County. It can be reached from Bannack Road (State Highway 278), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

2. Bannack Historical District Marker

Second from the left

at or near this postal address: 4200 Bannack Road, Dillon MT 59725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bannack (here, next to this marker); A Tribute to Sidney Edgerton (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Bannack (within shouting distance of this marker); Nez Perce Camp (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grasshopper Creek (approx. half a mile away); The First Electric Gold Dredge (approx. half a mile away); The Way It Used To Be... Way Back (approx. 10.2 miles away); Camp Fortunate (approx. 13.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dillon.

More about this marker. This marker

Bannack Historic Landmark plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

3. Bannack Historic Landmark plaque

Bannack
has been designated at
Registered National Historic Landmark
under the provision of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1933
This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1962

is located near the picnic tables at the entrance to the exhibit buildings in Bannack State Park.

Additional keywords. Gold Rush

Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,254 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.