The Mining Town In Montana Where Time Stands Still
By Jessica Wick|Published June 23, 2019
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Given Montana’s rich mining history, it comes as no surprise that the Treasure State is still packed with charming mining towns that have a ton of character. But there’s one little city, in particular, that seems frozen in time – in the best way. When you visit Red Lodge, you might find that you walk a little more slowly, check your phone less often, talk to more strangers, and enjoy being present in the moment. That’s no accident – this spot has a way of taking us back to the good old days.
Red Lodge is a little mountain town located in Carbon County, about 62 miles southwest of Billings.
In the 1890s, the discovery of coal transformed it into a mining hot spot. Hundreds of miners from Europe migrated to work at the mines, making Red Lodge an ethnically diverse town from the get-go.
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Unfortunately, there was a lot of racial tension in Red Lodge's early days. In spite of this, the little city thrived, reaching 5,000 people by 1911.
In the 1920s, the mining industry started to decline, and the Great Depression caused most of the mines in the area to shut down. In 1943, the Smith Mine explosion killed 74 miners. The Smith Mine was the last remaining coal mine in the area, so when it closed down, Red Lodge's mining days came to an end.
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These days, Red Lodge is a booming town that's a popular tourist destination, mostly for fellow Montanans looking for a weekend getaway.
Located in the historic Labor Temple Building, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is full of fascinating information about the county.
For such a small town, Red Lodge has quite a few fantastic dining options, like Red Lodge Pizza Co. and Cafe Regis - but don't leave town without stopping by Red Box Car, Inc.
This old school burger joint is located in an old train car, and it's a beloved local treasure.
Of course, Red Lodge has seen its share of changes over the years, but the locals do a great job of preserving its history and timeless small-town charm.
If you love these small towns that are full of nostalgia, you’ll also want to check out the glorified ghost town of Pony.
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