Bannack, Montana, is one of those rare places where you can walk through history and still feel the energy of the past. Tucked away in a quiet valley some miles from Dillon, the old streets and weathered buildings make it easy to imagine what life was like during Montana’s first big gold rush.
The town was founded in 1862 when gold was discovered along Grasshopper Creek. Word spread quickly, and within months Bannack was booming. Miners, merchants, families, and fortune seekers came from all over, turning a quiet stretch of Montana wilderness into a busy frontier town. For a short time, Bannack was even the first capital of the Montana Territory.
But Bannack wasn’t just famous for its gold—it was also known for its rough and dangerous reputation. With little law enforcement, outlaws and “road agents” preyed on travelers and locals. One of the most talked-about stories is that of Sheriff Henry Plummer. Many believed he secretly led a gang of bandits, robbing the very people he was supposed to protect. In 1864, the Montana Vigilantes hanged Plummer and many of his men, cementing Bannack’s place in western legend.
As the gold ran out, the crowds moved on. By the late 1800s, Bannack’s population dwindled, and by the mid-1900s it was nearly abandoned. Today, over 60 buildings still stand—log cabins, a schoolhouse, a church, and the impressive Hotel Meade. Many are open to walk through, giving visitors a direct link to the 1800s.
Now preserved as Bannack State Park, the town is carefully maintained so people can experience it much as it was. Each July, Bannack Days brings the ghost town back to life with reenactments, music, and old-fashioned activities.
Visiting Bannack feels like stepping into another time. The creak of the boardwalks, the stillness of the old rooms, and the wide Montana sky overhead make it a powerful reminder of both the dreams and hardships of the people who once called it home.
