Elkhorn

Elkhorn is a ghost town in Jefferson County, Montana, that grew around silver mining in the 1800s. Only two buildings remain standing today, Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, which show the frontier architecture and community structures that once housed miners and their families.

Elkhorn started in 1872 after silver was discovered, bringing European miners and their families to establish the settlement. Economic depression and falling silver prices in the late 1890s reversed its fortune, causing residents to leave and mines to close by the 1930s.

The name Elkhorn comes from elk antlers found in the area. The two remaining buildings, Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, show how miners and their families gathered and what kinds of spaces mattered to them in their daily lives.

The site is open year-round as part of Montana's smallest state park with hiking and biking trails available. Visitors should check ahead about which facilities and amenities are currently open, as maintenance or weather may affect access to certain areas.

You can walk inside the two standing buildings and see how miners actually lived, with preserved interior spaces that show rooms and community areas from the mining era. This hands-on experience gives a direct feel for daily life in this remote mountain location.