Montana is a state full of hidden gems, and some of them happen to be really hidden. The charming little railroad city of Havre, for example, has an entire abandoned city underneath it. And if you've never toured Havre Beneath the Streets, here's why you should.
It all started in 1904, when a fire destroyed most of Havre.
The fire started in the wee hours of January 14th at the Gross and Lebert store, rapidly sweeping the city blocks and burning building after building.
But rather then abandon the town, business owners simply moved underground to carry on with their businesses.
And that's how the underground city got its start.
The businesses were connected by tunnels, which also served another purpose.
Back then, they also served as safe places for the Chinese railroad workers who wanted to travel around the city. Racism was a real problem back then, and the tunnels helped them stay safe.
These days, you can learn all about the underground city on the Havre Beneath the Streets tour.
This is a recreation of Havre's real history, and it's fascinating.
The tour takes you past a barber shop, the Sporting Eagle Saloon, an opium den, and even a bordello.
Havre was a wild railroad town back then, and some of the evidence of that remains.
Tours are available all year, but you can tour daily during the summer months from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. without an appointment. You can also tour in the evenings by appointment.
Call the Havre Chamber of Commerce at 265-4382 to book.
This tour is a must for all Montana history buffs.
And if it leaves you thirsty for more knowledge, check out the nearby Havre Railroad Museum, which is free.
Have you ever taken the Havre Beneath the Streets tour? Despite Havre's sinister history, it's a pretty delightful place to visit these days.
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