Virginia and Nevada City Montana

Our last day here at Yellowstone had us visiting Virginia and Nevada City cause they’re now doing major road work on the upper loop of the park and that left us a day to something else since we’ve seen the great sights that makes Yellowstone a must on everyone’s list of places to visit.

Alder Gulch was the scene of Montana’s greatest placer gold rush, touched off by the discoveries of Bill Fairweather and Henry Edgar in the spring of 1863.  Small settlements were so numerous and so scattered that contemporaries called the area “Fourteen-mile City”.  Virginia City and its near neighbor, Nevada City, were the main centers of commerce.  Earthquake Lake outside Virginia City was created and named after the 1959 earthquake that brought down the side of a mountain and created a natural dam across the Madison River.  A spill was frantically dug cause they were afraid that the dam would fail and cause havoc down river.

Photos of Virginia City Montana

While visiting Nevada City I took the time to check out a Choo Choo club that runs a restored steam engine on the weekends.  These train enthusiasts donate their time and sweat equity for the pure love of trains.  I saw cars from over 10 states and a large group were here from New Mexico.

Check out the beautifully restored Baldwin Locomotive #12

There are more than ninety buildings along Nevada City’s streets.  Charles and Sue Bovey began collecting buildings in the early 1940s.  In 1959 Bovey was asked to remove his collection in Great Falls.  Nevada City became a haven for those historic buildings and others acquired later.  A few buildings are original, many have been carefully placed along the streets, and some are constructions.  Nevada City is a treasure chest of gems from across Montana.

Photos of Nevada City Montana

The evening was topped off with a chuck wagon BBQ and music.  The food was outstanding.  It was some of the best chicken and steak we’ve ever had.  It was a nice way to cap off a brief but lovely visit to the Yellowstone area.  Like I said before … we’ll be back.

Photos of BBQ