Memories of the gold rush days

Ghost towns or not, Virginia City and Nevada City are still exciting places to visit

From Idaho Falls we drove northward and stopped at the ghost towns of Nevada City and Virginia City. Both of these cities were once bustling with more than 30,000 residents. That was during the Alder Gulch gold rush of 1863. The history in these two towns and the surrounding area comes alive when visiting and talking with the locals. The buildings in town are very old and mostly deserted. In Nevada City the train station looks the same as it did in the late 1800s. There are several very old railway cars parked on the tracks next to the station. More than 100 original buildings still stand in testament to the pioneers and gold miners who built them.

In Virginia City almost all the buildings are open for viewing during the summer months. We found that all of the buildings and all the furnishings, hardware, store merchandise and the saloons have been kept in their original condition. It was really a treat to see everything in original condition, right down to the longjohns that used to be sold in the mercantile store. This was like walking way back in time. The two towns sprang up as a result of the discovery of gold in the valley in 1863. In Nevada City there is an old dredge on display that was used to dredge the river bottom for miles up and down the valley.

Well-preserved history

Driving in to Nevada City you can see piles of gravel that the dredge sifted out after recovering the gold. This area was at one time one of the richest gold bearing deposits in the United States. We stopped at the Victorian Sisters boutique in Virginia City. This is a very unique blend of old period clothing for men and women, and a latte shop serving modern coffee blends. The operator, Sandy Williams, told us that during the summer time Virginia City is a hub of activity.

A steam train takes passengers between Virginia and Nevada cities, the Virginia City Players offer live plays in the vaudeville theatre and other companies offer guided tours of the community. Williams encourages anyone visiting this area to take the time to explore this very unique part of Montana and stop at the Victorian Sisters shop for a well-deserved break.

For more information, visit the Virginia City website. Another site to visit for information on the history of this area is the Montana Heritage Commission website. This stop proved to be one of the most original and best-preserved historic sites on our trip.

Now we are finally on our way home, about to cross the border back into Canada. This trip has been one of the most enlightening experiences of our lives. We have been to places and seen areas we had never seen before. We have purposely taken many backroads and stayed away from large cities. This has given us the opportunity to speak with local people who know the land and its history. We have learned that the early pioneers were farmers, cattle ranchers, businessmen, outlaws, lawmen and just plain folks who wanted to make a better life for their families. These are the people who opened up this land and brought development and prosperity with them. There were also hard times and not-so-nice things that took place. Today this is all part of the history. Everywhere from Montana to New Mexico we learned of the hardships and successes of men and women who took the chance to make things better. This is a trip Betty and I will always remember.