Alder Gulch

Alder Gulch: Air view of  Alder gulch

Virginia City, MT

Phone: 406-843-5555 • Phone: 800-829-2969

Additional Information:
  • American Heritage
  • Antiques
  • Archaeology
  • Art
  • Art Gallery
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  • Museum
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Daily

In 1863 Bill Fairweather and his party discovered gold in southwestern Montana. They were on their way to Yellowstone Country from Bannack but were waylaid by a band of Crows. While hiding from the Indians in a gulch they found gold. They named the gulch after the alder trees lining the gulch. Alder was one of the great gold producers of all time. The site of the largest placer gold strike in world history. It produced $10,000,000.00 during the first year.

A year later the boom town of Virginia City had a population of 10,000. People lived in makeshift tents and shacks and every third construction was a saloon. The site gave birth to two of Montana's most famous towns: Virginia City and Nevada City.

The discoveries at Alder Gulch drew people away from Bannack, reducing the population, making Virginia City the first territorial capitol.

In the area

Places to Stay
See and Do
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  1. Moose Springs Ranch
    Moose Springs Ranch
    Ennis, MT
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  2. The Carriage House
    The Carriage House
    Virginia City, MT
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  3. Elling House Arts & Humanities Center
    Elling House Arts & Humanities Center
    Virginia City, MT
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  4. Fairweather Inn
    Fairweather Inn
    Virginia City, MT
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  5. Rambling Moose Campground
    Rambling Moose Campground
    Virginia City, MT
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  6. Vigilante View
    Vigilante View
    Virginia City, MT
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  7. Cold Creek Cabin, LLC
    Cold Creek Cabin, LLC
    Ennis, MT
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  8. Blaine Creek Home
    Blaine Creek Home
    Ennis, MT
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  9. Just An Experience
    Just An Experience
    Virginia City, MT
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  10. Curley's Cabin
    Curley's Cabin
    Ennis, MT
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  11. Juniper House
    Juniper House
    Ennis, MT
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  12. Madison Valley Overlook
    Madison Valley Overlook
    Cameron, MT
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  13. Madison River Vacation Rental
    Madison River Vacation Rental
    Ennis, MT
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  14. 9T9 Ranch B&B
    9T9 Ranch B&B
    Ennis, MT
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  15. Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site
    Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site
    Ennis, MT
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  16. Historic Thextondale Homestead on the Madison
    Historic Thextondale Homestead on the Madison
    Ennis, MT
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  17. Ruby Valley Campground & RV Park
    Ruby Valley Campground & RV Park
    Alder, MT
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  18. Chick's Motel & RV Park
    Chick's Motel & RV Park
    Alder, MT
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  19. Upper Canyon Outfitters
    Upper Canyon Outfitters
    Alder, MT
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  20. Broken Arrow Lodge & Outfitters
    Broken Arrow Lodge & Outfitters
    Alder, MT
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