Calkins, Montana facts for kids

Calkins is a fascinating ghost town located in Meagher County, Montana. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have left, often leaving behind empty buildings. Calkins is one of many such towns in the U.S. state of Montana.

The Story of Calkins

Calkins started as a small community. A post office was opened there in 1915. Having a post office was very important for towns back then. It helped people send and receive letters and packages. This connected them to the outside world.

The post office in Calkins stayed open for 15 years. It closed down in 1930. When the post office closed, it often meant the town was getting smaller.

Calkins was named after a person named R. M. Calkins. He was a railroad official. Railroads were very important for travel and moving goods in the early 1900s. Towns were often named after important people or features nearby.

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. People leave ghost towns for many reasons. Sometimes, the main industry, like mining or logging, runs out. Other times, new roads or railroads bypass the town.

When people leave, buildings are often left behind. These empty buildings can tell us stories about the past. Ghost towns like Calkins are important parts of history. They show us how communities grew and changed over time.