Bannack, Montana, founded in 1862, is now a ghost town. It was the site of Montana's first major gold discovery in 1862, and served as the captital of Montana Territory briefly in 1864, until the captital was moved to Virginia City. Bannack continued as a mining town, though with a dwindling population. The last residents left in the 1950s. State nickname: Treasure State Other U.S. States Capital Helena Largest city Billings Governor Brian Schweitzer Official languages English Area 381,156 km² (4th)  - Land 377,295 km²  - Water 3,862 km² (1%) Population (2000)  - Population 902,194 (44th)  - Density 2. ... A street corner in the ghost town of Bodie, California. ... The Montana Territory was an organized territory of the United States that existed between 1864 and 1889. ... Virginia City is a town located in Madison County, Montana. ...

At its peak, Bannack had a population of about three thousand. It was a classic wild-west sort of place, with miners, crooks, thieves, lawyers, merchants, prostitutes and even a clergyman or two. One of Bannack's sheriffs, Henry Plummer, was reputed to have robbed the stage coach. He and his gang were said to be responsible for nearly a hundred deaths and were eventually hanged by a mob for their presumed crimes.

Sixty historic log and frame structures remain standing in Bannack, many quite well-preserved; most can be explored. The site is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The town is presently the site of Bannack State Park.

External links

• http://www.bannack.org/
• http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/htme/bannack.htm
• http://www.nezperce.com/banack.html
• http://www.beaverhead.com/bannack/Vig_Index.htm