Given its rich mining history, it comes as no surprise that Montana has its share of ghost towns. And some - like Bannack State Park - are surprisingly well-preserved. But there are also some that tend to stay under the radar that are just as fascinating to visit. Elkhorn is one of them. If you have yet to explore this hidden gem, you really should.
Elkhorn is located in Jefferson County, about 58 miles northeast of Butte.
While much was written about the Elkhorn Mine, there's a lot less information about the town itself.
We do know that a post office was established in Elkhorn in 1884, and the town was likely founded not long after the Elkhorn Mine was constructed in 1868.
By 1888, the mine was producing $30,000 worth of ore monthly.
At its peak, Elkhorn had up to 2,500 residents.
It was also home to a school, a hotel, a church, stores, a saloon, and even brothels.
The town's population was waning by 1892, when the price of silver fell.
In the years to come, the silver boom and Elkhorn's prosperity began to lessen as the desire for silver plummeted. A diphtheria epidemic in the winter of 1889 didn't help matters.
The Elkhorn post office closed in 1924. These days, it's considered a ghost town.
While its population is listed as zero, you may find a couple of caretakers living in the area.
Some of the buildings, like the Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, are surprisingly well-preserved.
And if you walk around, you'll notice plenty of relics from the past.
While the town of Elkhorn is privately owned, some of the buildings are within the borders of Elkhorn State Park.
The park is open all year.
Ready to see Elkhorn like you've never seen it before? Check out footage from this video:
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