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Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.

Montana has had its share of gold rushes. When gold was discovered in Alder Canyon in the 1860s, it was yet another in a string of strikes.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
View along the main street of historic Virginia City.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
Living on the road has engendered a deep fascination in unusual cars. So, we were naturally drawn to the light pink retro fire engine that we encountered while walking down the street through Virginia City.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn’t razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune. During his life time, Charles and his wife had the town refurbished and reconstructed as a historic attraction open to visitors. The result is a main street lined with alternating food and goods concessions and educational displays. Visitors can learn about the grit and savvy of the men and women of the town.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
Old towns are like sieves for oddities. Normal, blasé, everyday things will come and go. But a case of unattached baby doll heads will find their way into a museum display.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
Some of the Virginia City locals we found to be particularly welcoming. We were ready to offer this guy a ride.

Within easy walking distance of Virginia City is her sibling, Nevada City. While Nevada did not enjoy the same preservation as Virginia City, old structures have been moved and new models constructed to create a living history museum. The over 100 structures create a small town, complete with school house, stable, and so much more.

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
Virginia City does not split hairs about its history with vigilantes. The wealth coming out of Alder Gulch attracted many men looking to get rich but not all of them were interested in coming by their wealth legitimately. In response to escalating crime, locals formed a vigilante group. On January 14, 1864, in one of their more notable acts of vigilante justice, five men were hung from the roof beam of the building that became known as “Hangman’s Building.”

Many small towns and cities sprouted up around the mining camps and the wealth pulled from Alder Canyon. Yet, only Virginia City has remained in a near complete state. Partially, this is because Virginia City was far enough from any known gold deposits that it wasn't razed to make way for further gold discovery. Partially, it was due to the much later interest from Charles Bovey, heir to the General Mills fortune.
This is the roof beam from which five men were hung. For those wondering: yes, Virginia City has a ghost tour. I’ll let you guess if it stops off at “Hangman’s Building.”

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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