Elkhorn, Montana
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Elkhorn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Montana, United States, in the Elkhorn Mountains of the southwestern part of the state. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 10.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> The community is considered a ghost town,<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and two of its buildings are preserved as Elkhorn State Park.<ref name=mfwp/><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Lodes of silver, described by geologists as supergene enrichments, were initially discovered in the Elkhorn Mountains by Peter Wys, a Swiss immigrant.<ref name=atoz/> Six years later, Anton Holter, a pioneer capitalist from Helena, began developing the mine. Over $14 million in silver was carried from the mine. In 1890, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act passed, creating a high demand for Elkhorn's silver.
During this peak period, Elkhorn had 2,500 inhabitants, a school, a hotel, a church, stores, saloons, and brothels. Unlike most mining towns, Elkhorn was populated mostly by families of married European immigrants.<ref name=legends/> In 1893, the Fraternity Hall was constructed for social gatherings, and still remains as one of the most well-preserved buildings in modern Elkhorn.
In the years following, the silver boom and Elkhorn's prosperity began to lessen as the desire for silver decreased. A diphtheria epidemic struck Elkhorn in the winter of 1888–1889, resulting in many deaths, particularly of children.<ref name=legends/> Soon after, railroad service to Elkhorn was halted and only a fraction of the original inhabitants remained.
The state of Montana designated Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall as Elkhorn State Park in 1980.<ref name=origin/>
Geography
Elkhorn is in eastern Jefferson County on the south side of the Elkhorn Mountains, in the valley of Elkhorn Creek. It can only be reached through its neighboring town, Boulder, by taking the I-15 exit for Boulder, continuing Template:Convert southeast on Montana Highway 69, then Template:Convert north on graveled county roads.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elkhorn CDP has an area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>
Demographics
While very few standing buildings remain of the original Elkhorn, a number of cabins have been reoccupied and refurbished. In 2010, there were 10 inhabitants.<ref name="Census 2010"/>
Education
The school districts for the community are Boulder Elementary School District and Jefferson High School District<ref name=2020USCensusBureauSDMap>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>
See also
References
External links
- Elkhorn State Park Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Elkhorn, Montana at Western Mining History
- Profile for Elkhorn, Montana ePodunk
Template:Jefferson County, Montana Template:Protected Areas of Montana