Sixteen, Montana facts for kids
Sixteen is a small, former community located in the southwestern part of Meagher County, Montana, in the United States. It used to be a stop along a major railroad line that crossed the entire country. For many years, Sixteen was a central place for local ranchers and families who settled on new land, called homesteaders.
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What Was Sixteen, Montana?
Sixteen was never a very big town. It started as a base camp for workers building a railroad. This railroad, first built in 1895 by the Montana Railroad company, later became part of a larger system known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, often called "the Milwaukee Road."
How Sixteen Got Its Name
The town of Sixteen got its name from a nearby stream called Sixteen Mile Creek. This creek flows through the narrow valley where the community was located. West of the town, there's a beautiful area called Sixteen Mile Canyon. This canyon was known as a very scenic part of the Milwaukee Road train route.
Eagle Nest Tunnel: A Railroad Landmark
One of the most interesting engineering features of the railroad was the Eagle Nest Tunnel. This tunnel is still there today, about four miles west of where Sixteen used to be. It shows the amazing work done by the railroad builders long ago.
The Town's History and Decline
The first post office in Sixteen opened in 1890, which means people were living and sending mail from there. However, the post office closed in 1944. The number of people living in Sixteen was always small. By the late 1900s, almost no one lived there anymore.
Sixteen Becomes a Ghost Town
The railroad line that ran through Sixteen was shut down in 1980. After the trains stopped coming, the town became almost completely empty. Today, Sixteen is known as a ghost town, which means it's a place where buildings and structures remain, but most or all of the people have left.
The Rattlesnake Round-up
Even though Sixteen is a ghost town, it is still home to a special yearly event. This event is a private gathering called The Rattlesnake Round-up.
