Near Philipsburg in Granite County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Bi-Metallic Aerial Tramway

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2009

1. Bi-Metallic Aerial Tramway Marker

Inscription. The tramway was constructed in 1889 to carry ore from the Blaine Shaft in Granite to the Bi-Metallic Mill in Kirkville, near Philipsburg. The Bi-Metallic aerial tramway was 9750 feet long with a vertical drop of 1225 feet, and was the longest aerial tramway in the United States at that time. The tramline consisted of wooden tower with rollers and guides on the ends of both arms. These rollers supported a very large moving cable that the tram cars were attached to. The Granite Mountain Mining Company constructed a similar aerial tramway about the same time. This conveyance was 8750 feet long and carried ore from the Ruby Shaft in Granite to the Rumsey Mill (Mill C) to the east.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 46° 18.899′ N, 113° 15.087′ W. Marker is near Philipsburg, Montana, in Granite County. It is on Granite Mountain Road. Granite is located approx. 4 miles from Philipsburg, out the dirt/gravel Granite Mountain Road. Inquire at the Pintler Ranger Station or locally. Follow the signs to Granite. This marker is

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found on the right hand side of the road before reaching Granite. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philipsburg MT 59858, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Miner's Union Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Granite Ghost Town (approx. 0.2 miles away); Superintendent’s House (approx. ¼ mile away); Granite Mountain Mining Company Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mill A and B (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ruby Shaft (approx. 0.4 miles away); Morse Hall (approx. 2.3 miles away); Weinstein Building (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philipsburg.

A Fallen Bi-Metallic Aerial Tramway Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2009

2. A Fallen Bi-Metallic Aerial Tramway Tower

Rollers for the Aerial Tramway Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 9, 2009

3. Rollers for the Aerial Tramway Line

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,143 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.