Bearmouth, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bearmouth, Montana
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 Bearmouth, Montana
Location in Montana
Bearmouth, Montana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Granite |
| Elevation | 3,802 ft (1,159 m) |
Bearmouth was an important trading post in Granite County, Montana, United States. It served the gold mining camps of Beartown, Garnet, and Coloma. These camps were located in the hills north of Bearmouth. Today, Bearmouth is known as a ghost town, meaning it was once a busy place but is now mostly empty.
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What Was Bearmouth?
Bearmouth was not a mining town itself. Instead, it was a town that supported the gold mining camps around it. During the late 1800s, miners from places like Garnet brought their valuable gold and silver ores to Bearmouth. From there, these ores were shipped to special factories called smelters to be processed.
A pioneer family named Lannen ran businesses in Bearmouth. They helped miners exchange their gold. They also operated a ferry boat to cross the Clark Fork River. This ferry was very important for travel and trade in the area.
Why Did Bearmouth Become a Ghost Town?
Bearmouth depended on the success of the mining towns. When the gold and silver ran out in places like Garnet, those towns became empty. Bearmouth then lost its main purpose. So, when Garnet stopped being a busy mining town, Bearmouth also slowly faded away.
A Stop on the Mullan Road
Even though it wasn't a mining town, Bearmouth was a key stop for stagecoaches. These coaches traveled on the old Mullan Road. This road was one of the first major routes built in the American West.
Travelers could stop at Bearmouth's two-story inn to rest for the night. The town also had a large livery stable for horses. Both the inn and the stable are still standing today.
Early History and Location
In September 1841, a Jesuit priest named Pierre Jean De Smet traveled through this area. He was on his way from St. Louis to establish a mission for the Flathead Indians in the Bitterroot Valley.
Bearmouth is located about 8 miles (13 km) east of Drummond. The nearest large city is Missoula, which is about 40 miles (64 km) to the west. To the east, the next large city is Butte, about 80 miles (129 km) away.
Historical Records
If you want to learn more about Bearmouth, you can find historical records. The Hazel Marsh Papers are a collection of documents from the Lannen family's businesses in Bearmouth. This collection includes old ledger books from the post office, saloon, and general store. It also has financial records and legal papers from Christopher Lannen.
The collection also contains school district records and voter registrations from Bearmouth. You can even find old photographs and souvenirs. These papers are kept at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, K. Ross Toole Archives, at the University of Montana.
