Judith Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Judith Mountains |
|
|---|---|
The Judith Mountains in winter
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Judith Peak |
| Elevation | 6,428 ft (1,959 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| Parent range | Rocky Mountains |
The Judith Mountains are a mountain range in central Montana. You can find them in Fergus County, just northeast of Lewistown, Montana. The highest point in this range is Judith Peak. It stands tall at about 6,428 feet (1,959 m) above sea level.
Contents
History of the Judith Mountains
The Judith Mountains have an interesting past. Long ago, people built a fort here to keep the area safe.
Fort Maginnis: A Historic Outpost
Southeast of Judith Peak, you can find the remains of Fort Maginnis. This fort was built in 1880. Its main job was to protect the cattle ranches and gold mining camps nearby. It also guarded the Carroll Trail, an important route for travel and trade. The fort was built after a famous battle called the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Cattle Ranching in the Mountains
In 1879, a man named Granville Stuart started a big cattle company. He teamed up with his friend Samuel T. Hauser and a banker named Andrew J. Davis. Their company was called Davis, Hauser and Stuart (DHS).
Granville Stuart became the general manager. He set up the main ranch on about 800 acres (320 ha) of land. This ranch was on the southern slopes of the Judith Mountains, near Flat Willow Creek. The DHS Ranch became one of the largest cattle operations in central Montana during the 1880s.
Mining and Geology in the Judith Mountains
The Judith Mountains are known for their unique rocks and a history of mining.
What Rocks Make Up the Mountains?
The mountains are made of different types of rocks. These include limestone, sandstone, and siltstone. These rocks formed over millions of years, from the Cambrian to the Cretaceous periods. Later, during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, other types of rocks pushed their way into these layers. These new rocks are called alkaline intrusives. They include rocks like monzonite, syenite, and tinguaite.
Gold and Silver Mining History
In the 1800s, the Judith Mountains were a busy place for mining. People came looking for gold and silver. These valuable metals were often found in veins where the older rocks met the newer intrusive rocks.
The old mining towns of Maiden and Gilt Edge grew quickly during this time. They were built in the 1880s and 1890s when mining was booming. Even today, people are still exploring the mountains for more gold and silver.
Images for kids
-
Southwest side of the Judith Mountains from Big Spring Creek
