Bannack State Park is loaded with local history. Montana’s original territorial capital was once a booming mining town, and as you can imagine, it holds plenty of secrets that never made it into our history books. On September 4th, you can hear some of the more gruesome tales.
Bannack was founded in 1862 after the area was the site of a major gold discovery.
Jasperdo / Flickr At its peak, about 10,000 people called the town home.
For decades, Bannack was a lively place. But as the value of gold slowly dwindled, so did the town’s population.
Troy Smith / Flickr By the 1940s, it was officially a ghost town.
Bannack State Park is a National Historic Landmark, and it’s the most well-preserved ghost towns in the state.
Jasperdo / Flickr There’s quite a bit of documented history about the area, meaning you can learn a lot about what life was like back then.
Of course, not all of its history is well-known, especially some of the stories that are more macabre than others.
Bannack Association / Facebook Murder, injury, and accidental death rocked Bannack on a regular basis.
On Friday, September 10, Bannack State Park will host Tales from the Darkside: Macabre Stories from Bannack History.
Tjflex2 / Flickr The night will be filled with gruesome stories about Bannack’s former residents . . . almost like a murder podcast, but so much better.
Tales From the Darkside will meet at the east end of Bannack.
Bannack Association / Facebook The tour lasts about two hours, is led by a park ranger, and costs $20 per person.
Whether or not you’re a history buff, this event will capture your attention. From the well-known vigilantes to the hanging of R. C. “Peg Leg” Rawley, the last man hanged at Bannack, you’ll learn all kinds of gory details about this once lively ghost town. To learn more about the tour, call 406-834-3413 or RSVP on the event Facebook page.
Jasperdo / Flickr
At its peak, about 10,000 people called the town home.
Troy Smith / Flickr
By the 1940s, it was officially a ghost town.
Jasperdo / Flickr
There’s quite a bit of documented history about the area, meaning you can learn a lot about what life was like back then.
Bannack Association / Facebook
Murder, injury, and accidental death rocked Bannack on a regular basis.
Tjflex2 / Flickr
The night will be filled with gruesome stories about Bannack’s former residents . . . almost like a murder podcast, but so much better.
The tour lasts about two hours, is led by a park ranger, and costs $20 per person.
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Address: Bannack, MT 59725, USA
