Vananda, Montana facts for kids
Vananda is a fascinating ghost town in Montana, USA. It's located in Rosebud County, right along U.S. Highway 12. Once a busy little village, Vananda is now mostly empty buildings. It tells a story of hope, hard work, and how nature can change plans.
Quick facts for kids |
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Vananda Historic District
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Abandoned schoolhouse
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| Nearest city | Forsyth, Montana |
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| Area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Wahl, L.W. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000629 |
| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1990 |
Contents
Vananda: A Montana Ghost Town Story
Vananda is a former small village in northwestern Rosebud County, Montana. It sits along U.S. Highway 12. Today, it is known as a ghost town, a place where most people have left.
How Vananda Began
Vananda was started in 1908. It became a stop on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. This railroad was being built across Montana at the time. The trains that ran on this railway used steam engines. These engines needed a lot of water to work. So, Vananda became a "water stop." A small lake was built nearby to make sure there was enough water for the trains.
Why Vananda Became a Ghost Town
After the railroad was finished, many people came to the area. They wanted to start farms under the Homestead Act. This act allowed people to claim land if they lived on it and farmed it. However, the land around Vananda was very dry. It was also a tough place to live. It was not good for growing many crops.
By the 1920s, the town started to shrink. People began to move away because farming was too hard. The railroad through Vananda was finally closed in 1980. After that, the town became a true ghost town.
Vananda's Historic Buildings
In 1990, the Vananda townsite was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important place in history. It is now called the Vananda Historic District. Several buildings from the old town are still there. They help tell the story of Vananda.
- Vananda School (built in 1920): This was a two-story building. It was where the children of Vananda learned.
- Vananda State Bank (built in 1917): This was a one-story building. It was made of yellow and red bricks. It was about 24 feet by 40 feet (7.3 by 12.2 meters).
- Berg Residence (around 1920): This was a small, one-story house.
- Jacobsen Residence (around 1921): This was a one-story bungalow style house.
These buildings, along with others, show what Vananda was like long ago. They are a reminder of the people who once lived and worked there.
