Alder Gulch facts for kids
Alder Gulch is a famous place in the U.S. state of Montana. It is located in the Ruby River valley. This area became well-known because gold was found there on May 26, 1863.
A group of men, led by William Fairweather, discovered the gold. They were on their way to the Yellowstone area from another gold mining town called Bannack, Montana. On their journey, a group of Crow people asked them to leave their hunting grounds. The miners then traveled over the Tobacco Root Mountains. They camped in a place called Elk Park. There, William Fairweather and Henry Edgar found gold.
The group decided to keep their discovery a secret. They went back to Bannack to get supplies. However, news of the gold spread quickly. Soon, many other miners followed them back to Alder Gulch.
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The Gold Rush Begins
The miners stopped at a spot called Point of Rocks. They held a meeting and created the Fairweather Mining District. This was a set of rules for how mining claims would be shared. The rules said that the discoverers of the gold could have two claims and choose them first.
A City of Gold Miners
The first large group of miners arrived at Alder Gulch on June 6, 1863. In just three months, the population grew to more than 10,000 people! This area became known as the "Fourteen Mile City." It was a long settlement that stretched along the gulch. It included several towns like Junction City, Adobe Town, Nevada City, Central City, Virginia City, Montana, and Summit.
When the miners first arrived, they lived in simple shelters. These included brush huts, dugouts, and under rocky overhangs. Later, they built cabins. The very first building in Virginia City was a bakery. Virginia City and Nevada City became the main centers for buying and selling goods during the gold rush.
Montana Territory and Capital
In May 1864, the area became the Montana Territory. Bannack was the first capital city. Later, the capital moved to Virginia City. It stayed there until 1875.
The Richest Gold Discovery
The gold found in Alder Gulch was incredibly rich. It was the most valuable type of gold found in loose soil and gravel, known as placer deposits. In just three years, miners took out about $30,000,000 worth of gold. A huge $10,000,000 was found in the first year alone!
Today, Virginia City is much quieter, especially outside of summer. A large granite monument marks the exact spot where gold was first discovered on May 26, 1863.
What's in a Name?
Alder Gulch got its name from the many alder bushes that grew along the creek.
