Montana is a special place. One of the largest states in the US, this place has a rich history of hard work and industrial prowess. From the booming agricultural achievements to the beautiful landscape that includes places such as Yellowstone National Park, Montana is not to be underestimated.
Here in Missoula lies the home of the University of Montana, an institution steeped in the preservation of the knowledge of previous generations. A particularly interesting and impactful part of local history is the once-thriving gold mining industry. This is an industry that has informed much of modern living in Montana, with mines still active today. In order to understand the story, it’s crucial to look back at where it all began.
Humble Beginnings
The first recorded discovery of gold in Montana happened in 1852. However, the “Montana gold rush” didn’t begin until a decade later, in July 1862. This happened when a prospector named John White discovered gold at a place called Grasshopper Creek. For context, a prospector was someone who searched for and procured gold, often using nothing more than a few useful tools and a water source. Many prospectors worked long, hard hours procuring gold, for nothing more than a couple of dollars to get by. When it came to John White, this wasn’t the case. Upon discovering Grasshopper Creek, White founded the town of Bannack nearby, and, within the first year of operation, Grasshopper Creek managed to produce five million dollars in gold dust.
Two years later, another place called Last Chance Gulch produced 19 million dollars in gold and gave birth to another town known as Helena. This time was known as the Montana gold rush and caused many of the cities known today to be created. Unfortunately, due to the high level of gold available in these areas, the roads became notoriously dangerous to travel. This led to the introduction of systems of law and order, to protect those trading.
Active Mines
With around 160 years of gold mining history, much of the original gold in Montana has been procured. However, you can still find some in the active mines located around the state. There are 7,750 mines listed in Montana, with 19,381 active mining claims. Although mining for gold isn’t as popular as it was during the height of the gold rush, there is undoubtedly a lingering spirit that lives on in the mountains of the state.
With the story going back so far, surely there have been long-lasting effects on the state of Montana up until the modern-day – but what might they be? Well, the Butte district is primarily known for its silver, but still managed to produce almost 3 million ounces of gold in the 1990s. Alongside this, mines such as Lodestar titanium mine still mine gold. So, whilst gold may not be the main mining export any longer, it still has a substantial place within the modern industry.
A Living Legacy
If you’re interested in exploring the history of Montana’s gold mining industry and the legacy that still thrives within the streets today, there are many avenues you can explore. For example, there is the Rosia Montana Gold Mining Museum, in which you can explore the history in a more tangible way. Sites such as this offer a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit that lives on in our towns today.
This legacy lives on within the culture, with enterprises such as the Montana Nugget Casino, which offers keno, poker, and line games, as well as a full bar and restaurant. The branding for this company clearly plays upon Montana’s history, which raises some thoughts about the long-lasting effects of the gold state and the evolution of the casino industry.
From the relatively low-key operation of lone prospecting, involving a few tools and a head full of dreams, we now see a thriving industry that has gone on to sweep the state. Montana has incorporated its fascinating history into this industry, and this has permeated throughout modern culture. You can even access casinos online now, with many of the game and slot titles found on these sites taking imagery and tropes from gold mining and prospecting, due to their obvious ‘lucky’ connotations. This illustrates that these industries have been heavily inspired by the footprint left by the memory of “classic gold mines”, which has imprinted within our collective minds and culture.
The Future of Montana Gold Mining
It’s hard to say exactly what the future will hold for the gold mining industry. With the rise of new forms of currency such as cryptocurrency, the world is changing pretty rapidly. However, nobody would have necessarily predicted the rapid changes brought on by the gold rush, so how can anyone say for certain? It’s always worth keeping an open mind. Who knows? Maybe the next gold rush is just around the corner, we’ll just have to wait and see. For now, history suggests that Montana will always find a way to thrive.