Virginia City was one of the State’s early successful mining towns and is now a visitor stop for thousands of travelers each year. Virginia City was home to over 10,000 residents in the mining boom of the 1860's and 70's. Virginia City is recognized as one of the busiest tourist attractions in Montana. The State of Montana now owns and manages much of the historical district and is a major seasonal employer in Madison County. Virginia City’s courthouse was built in 1876 and it’s present day employees are the mainstay of the town’s year round business activities.
Population: 130 according to the 2000 US Census with the local zip code serving 152.
Schools: Students attend school in Ennis.
History: Virginia City began in 1863 with the gold strike in Alder Gulch. Within a short period of time, thousands of people arrived in the area and had to find some form of shelter. Many of the men in the first wave of gold seekers found most of the good claims taken and turned their attention to other industries, including saw mills for producing lumber and soon many frame houses and business buildings began to appear.
Virginia City had the first post office in the Territory and for several years was the distribution office for the Territory of Montana, being supplied by a mail route from Salt Lake City. As time went on and the placer deposits in Alder Gulch were nearly exhausted, the population of Virginia City began to decrease. From 1866 to the 1870's there were 196 licensed businesses in Virginia City. Licenses for conducting business during this period were issued by the month and no business could purchase a permit to operate for more than six months at a time. There were 45 permits issued to conduct a saloon business and permits were also issued for Gaming Casinos and Hurdy Gurdy Girls. An interesting fact about the business establishments is that one of the first businesses to be established, “Rank’s Drug Store” has operated without interruption and in the same location ever since. Another century old business is the Madisonian weekly newspaper, established in 1873 and has been in operation ever since.
After World War I, Virginia City declined both from the standpoint of population and industry. Many of the mines had shut down as well as the Town Flume Company, which was a placer mine concern. As time went on, Virginia City leveled off in population and industry and normally remained about the same year in and year out. However, when the tourist season starts again each year, Virginia City come to life and thousands of tourists tour the streets and surrounding areas to relive again the “Pioneer Past”. Virginia City being the County Seat of Madison County, will continue to live on where the spirit of the West still lingers.
Population: 130 according to the 2000 US Census with the local zip code serving 152.
Schools: Students attend school in Ennis.
History: Virginia City began in 1863 with the gold strike in Alder Gulch. Within a short period of time, thousands of people arrived in the area and had to find some form of shelter. Many of the men in the first wave of gold seekers found most of the good claims taken and turned their attention to other industries, including saw mills for producing lumber and soon many frame houses and business buildings began to appear.
Virginia City had the first post office in the Territory and for several years was the distribution office for the Territory of Montana, being supplied by a mail route from Salt Lake City. As time went on and the placer deposits in Alder Gulch were nearly exhausted, the population of Virginia City began to decrease. From 1866 to the 1870's there were 196 licensed businesses in Virginia City. Licenses for conducting business during this period were issued by the month and no business could purchase a permit to operate for more than six months at a time. There were 45 permits issued to conduct a saloon business and permits were also issued for Gaming Casinos and Hurdy Gurdy Girls. An interesting fact about the business establishments is that one of the first businesses to be established, “Rank’s Drug Store” has operated without interruption and in the same location ever since. Another century old business is the Madisonian weekly newspaper, established in 1873 and has been in operation ever since.
After World War I, Virginia City declined both from the standpoint of population and industry. Many of the mines had shut down as well as the Town Flume Company, which was a placer mine concern. As time went on, Virginia City leveled off in population and industry and normally remained about the same year in and year out. However, when the tourist season starts again each year, Virginia City come to life and thousands of tourists tour the streets and surrounding areas to relive again the “Pioneer Past”. Virginia City being the County Seat of Madison County, will continue to live on where the spirit of the West still lingers.
