Virginia City, Montana

Virginia City

We woke up to 35 degree weather and rain. As we crossed the Continental Divide there was snow on the trees around us. We took US 287 northwest out of the park past Quake Lake, formed from the 1959 earthquake. We've been here before and recommend a stop at the visitor center. Our stop for the day was Virginia City, Montana. This was the site of a gold strike in 1853. Two billion dollars worth of gold came out of the hills. The town today has the largest set of buildings from the 1860s, because there were no major fires. In the 1860's there were 20,000 people living here. It was a lawless town until  a group of vigilantes became the law. They hanged 5 criminals one day from the beams of one of the buildings and then buried them on Boot Hill above the town. Virginia City became the territorial capital of Montana. The historical society of Montana has preserved many of the buildings and recreated the scenes from the 1860's from a barbershop to black Smith’s to the dry goods store.

Tea and Coffee for Sale

We camped at Black Sandy State Park outside Helena. The campground seems ideal for fisherman, many campsites have boat piers. 

Black Sandy Campground