Ghost Towns Garnet
Ghost Towns of Gold West Country: Garnet
Garnet first came alive in 1862 as a gold mining town. It is recorded that the "Nancy Hanks" mine poured out $10,000,000 in gold. The mine produced well for three years, and then the vein began to thin out.
Garnet was home to numerous residences, two barber shops, three living stables, an assay office, and a butcher shop. By 1898 the school had an enrollment of 41 students and 1,000 people knew Garnet as home. By 1905, only 150 remained. A raging fire in 1912 and World War I sent most of the remaining miners, wives and children packing. Garnet slowly slipped into obscurity, despite a brief renewal of mining in the 1930s. By 1942 the town was considered abandoned - except for one resident, the owner of Davey's Store. At one time the Internal Revenue Service requested he sign a tax form before a witness. Frank Davey stood before a mirror, signed, and witnessed himself, then attached a note explaining he was the only resident of an abandoned gold camp.
Today, Garnet's fame lies not in its gold, but in the rich history of the town. The Bureau of Land Management and the Garnet Preservation Association work together to preserve Garnet for posterity. Behind the scenes at Garnet, workers stabilize the old buildings to keep them from falling down. The goal is to retain the ghostly nature of the abandoned buildings while preserving the roofs from caving in and the walls from giving away.
To get to Garnet Ghost Town from the west, take I-90 east to Exit 109, the Bonner Exit. Continue on Highway 200 east for 23 miles. Shortly after the 22 mile marker turn south at the sign Garnet Ghost Town. The parking lot is 11 miles up the gravel road.
From the east, take I-90 west to Exit 154 for Drummond and follow the Frontage Road from the west end of Drummond for approximately 10 miles to the Bear Gulch Road. Turn onto Bear Gulch road at the sign for Garnet. Proceed 11 miles up the gravel road.
Please note the gravel road is not recommended for trailers or motorhomes.
Contact Information
Bureau of Land Management, Missoula Field Office
or the Garnet Preservation Association
3255 Fort Missoula Rd.
Missoula, MT 59804
