This Long-Abandoned Montana Town Is Like Time Traveling Through History

Hidden away just three miles east of Philipsburg, Montana is a long-abandoned town that's become a state park (which is excellent for preservation). Granite Ghost Town was a booming mining town at one time in history, but nowadays, it's quite a bit, well, quieter. However, it's now frozen forever in time thanks to its status as a state park. Today, you can explore all that remains of Granite, Montana, a place once so filled with hopes and dreams.

It all started in 1872 when a man by the name of Eli Holland discovered something exciting: a small amount of excellent-quality ruby silver, which would eventually trigger a sudden population boom in the area.

Fast-forward to 1877, when another man by the name of Charles McLure discovered silver ore in the same shaft the ruby silver was in. From that point forward, it was game on.

Soon enough, the town was named Granite, and it had up to 3,000 residents at its peak.

The town was surprisingly progressive and modernized, with a Union Hall for miners, more than a dozen saloons (because of course), a hospital, a school, and, as in many old mining towns, at least a brothel or two.

Things went well - at least for the first few decades.

In 1893, however, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed, and as a result, the price of silver plummeted. This would prove to be a death knell for the town. The mine was shut down and people began leaving almost immediately in search of greener pastures (and richer ore veins).

By 1894, there were just 140 residents remaining in town.

Eventually, they, too, would leave or die out - leaving Granite to be lost to history. But thanks to conservation efforts and the christening of the place as an official state park, what's left of Granite can still be explored today.

Walk down the same old streets that miners walked over 100 years ago. Check out the remains of old homes and businesses that still stand today.

The remains of the Union Hall have also been preserved, along with the Superintendent's home and a few other aging structures.

If you drive in from Philipsburg, expect a winding road with an elevation gain of 1,280 feet.

Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes and bring your camera — this is the closest to traveling through time as you'll ever get.

For more information, including a much deeper history of Granite Ghost Town State Park, be sure to visit its official page on Montana State Parks.

Need a place to stay while visiting? This incredible listing on Booking.com is found in nearby Philipsburg and it's incredible. Have you ever been to Granite Ghost Town? What other Montana ghost towns fascinate you? Let me know in the comments.