SILVER STAR, Montana Community Information

• 

  landmark mining wheels

  Photo courtesy: Debra McNeill

• 

  Tobacco Root Mountains

  Photo courtesy: Debra McNeill

Silver Star is between Whitehall and Twin Bridges on a branch line of the Northern Pacific serving the irrigated valley around it. Silver Star is one of the oldest towns in the state and was named when it was a supply point for silver miners and the only town between Virginia City and Helena. Natives claim that Edward, Prince of Wales, the son of Queen Victoria, spent three days at the Silver Star Hotel in 1878.

Green Campbell discovered gold in the hills near here in 1866. Silver Star developed into a booming mining camp as other rich mines were established. George and Bill Boyer called their mine the "Silver Star." Prospectors, miners, and other residents gathered at the general merchandise store one Saturday night to name the two main camps; one they called Silver Stay, and the other Rag Town, which later became Iron Rod. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Silver Star is located along the Jefferson River, and the Tobacco Root Mountains provide the backdrop for this town.