Subdeacon Joe Posted December 2 Posted December 2 Wickes, Montana. It seems hard to believe, but in February 1880, Wickes, Montana Territory, was one of the few mining towns that built a church before having a saloon. The March 10, 1881 “Rocky Mountain Husbandman” reported on the town: “Wickes is a cheerful little village located in a narrow dale between two mountains, about thirty miles south from Helena. It was named in honor of W.W. Wickes, of New York…. It is the only town in Montana where liquor selling is not allowed.” The town 's namesake, William W. Wickes, was a mining executive who spent little more than a year there. But during that time he apparently ran a tight, yet respected, ship; any employees found drunk were fired on the spot. Wickes built the first church and brought his brother to serve as pastor, he helped build the first library and the town’s general store. All of it was for a rewarding, if temporary purpose—the silver mines of the area were among the most productive in the Territory. Current Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz #Wickes #Montana #ghosttowns #history 2 1 Quote
Three Foot Johnson Posted December 2 Posted December 2 I'm about 20 miles from Wickes, and have a cabin up on the Great Divide about 10 miles from it. There's an abandoned railroad tunnel dug about a mile and a quarter through the mountain from Wickes that folks take their Jeeps and 4-wheelers through for a little adventure - there are several vids on YouTube. This stone gateway to the High Ore CAS range is actually an underpass in the old railroad bed from nearly 140 years ago. The range is about 5 miles from the south end of the tunnel. 3 2 Quote
Subdeacon Joe Posted December 2 Author Posted December 2 2 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said: I'm about 20 miles from Wickes, and have a cabin up on the Great Divide about 10 miles from it. There's an abandoned railroad tunnel dug about a mile and a quarter through the mountain from Wickes that folks take their Jeeps and 4-wheelers through for a little adventure - there are several vids on YouTube. This stone gateway to the High Ore CAS range is actually an underpass in the old railroad bed from nearly 140 years ago. The range is about 5 miles from the south end of the tunnel. Thanks! I suspected that someone here would have some personal knowledge of it. 2 Quote
DeaconKC Posted December 3 Posted December 3 And it was the Northern Pacific Railroad running to it. 1 Quote
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