Montana is known as the Last Best Place, and it’s certainly a remnant of the bygone Wild West era. But while most of our cities and towns have been renovated and replenished to the point of not being recognizable, Montana still has a few Old West gems. Virginia City is a prime example.

Virginia City sits in the Rocky Mountains in a bowl along Alder Gulch, about 65 miles from Bozeman.
Jasperdo / Flickr
It's currently known as Montana's liveliest ghost town, and it has a pretty fascinating history as well.
It all started in 1863, when gold was discovered in the area.
Jasperdo / Flickr
Word got out quickly. Before long, Virginia City was a boomtown of thousands of prospectors and fortune seekers in the midst of a gold rush.
Virginia City housed the state's first public school, produced its first newspaper, and it's where the first book in Montana was published.
Jasperdo / Flickr
As most Montanans know, it was also the Territorial Capital in 1865.

Related Stories

The Magnificent Airbnb Near Flathead Lake, Montana That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

The Magnificent Airbnb Near Flathead Lake, Montana That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

 The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Montana Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Montana Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

 The Whole Family Could Spend An Entire Day Having A Blast At Montana's Great Indoors

The Whole Family Could Spend An Entire Day Having A Blast At Montana's Great Indoors
Of course, the gold rush days didn't last, and it wasn't long before Virginia City's population dwindled. And that could have been the end of it.
Jasperdo / Flickr
But in the 1940s, Charles and Sue Bovey began buying the buildings in town, giving them much-needed maintenance and restoration.
Today, Virginia City still looks the same as it did in the 1800s, thanks to Charles and Sue Bovey's preservation efforts.
Jasperdo / Flickr
150 buildings certified by the Montana Historical Society line the streets.
The town stays open all year, but it's definitely a lively place in the summertime.
Jasperdo / Flickr
Between the penny arcade, gift shops, theater, and restaurants, there's never a dull moment.
Virginia City looks straight out of the Old West, and that's just the way we like it.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
And with any luck, we'll be enjoying it for generations to come.

Will you be visiting Virginia City this year?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Virginia City, MT 59729, USA