Bannack Ghost Town

 We finally decided to detour to Bannack on our way to Saratoga Springs:)  I have only heard all the infamous stories of Mr. Jessop's Montana History class field trips to the ghost town Bannack.  It did not disappoint .... especially with our very own knowledgeable tour guide of non other than Mr. Jessop himself!!  Kristen was in history nerd heaven with her dad!

"Bannack was founded in 1862 when John White discovered gold on Grasshopper Creek. As news of the gold strike spread many prospectors and businessmen rushed to Bannack hoping to strike it rich. In 1864, Bannack was named as the first Territorial Capital of Montana. Remaining in Bannack for only a short time, the Capital moved on to Virginia City."

"Henry Plummer (1832–1864) was a prospector, lawman, and outlaw in the American West in the 1850s and 1860s, who was known to have killed several men, some in what was considered self-defense.  He was elected sheriff of Bannack, Montana from 1863 to 1864, during which period he was accused of being the leader of a "road agent" gang of outlaws known as the "Innocents," which preyed on shipments from Virginia City to other areas. In response some leaders in Virginia City formed the Vigilance Committee of Alder Gulch, and began to take action against Plummer's gang, gaining confessions from a couple of men they arrested in early January 1864. On January 10, 1864 Plummer and two associates were arrested in Bannack by a company of the Vigilantes and summarily hanged. Plummer was given a posthumous trial in 1993 which led to a mistrial. The jury was split 6-6."

My favorite part of the town was the schoolhouse!  I mean...just imagine the teachers who worked here and the children who attended.  Felt like stepping back in time!