D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9
92
G E T T O K N O W A C O U N T Y
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y
T
HIS COUNTY HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER, STARTING WITH
THE MAGNIFICENT ELKHORN MOUNTAIN RANGE. Driv-
ing along Hwy 15 enables you to see many of its assets, including
an abundance of cottonwood trees along its many creeks and tributar-
ies of Boulder River. Boulder is the county seat. A terrific café, run by
veterans, serving all meals and really going full throttle at holidays is the
Mountain Good Restaurant. e Recreation Park is home to the County
Fair and Rodeo. A red barn hums with square dancing in the summer.
A backcountry road from Boulder leads you to the 19th century mining landscape
now known as Elkhorn State Park. Lodes of silver were discovered in the Elkhorn
Mountains by Peter Wys, a Swiss immigrant. Anton Holter, a pioneer capitalist from
Helena developed the mine. Over $14 million in silver was carried from the mine.
During this period Elkhorn had 2,500 inhabitants (mostly married European im-
migrants), a school, a hotel, a church, saloons, and brothels. e silver boom declined
and a diphtheria epidemic struck in the winter of 1888-9, resulting in many deaths,
particularly children. Now a ghost town, the population is 10, including people who
have refurbished and occupied some cabins.
High Ore and Basin are home to several
radon mines. In arm chairs and rooms that
look like your living room people are exposed
to low doses of radiation that presumably sup-
presses inflammation and fights auto-immune
diseases. (See radonmine.com) A couple miles
away you can enjoy the Boulder Hot Springs
Inn and Spa.
Tizer Botanic Gardens on Prickly Pear
Creek offers a fantasy of layered gardens, which
are lit up at night. Two lovely rustic cabins are
available to rent. Tizergardens.com.
BOULDER
DONNIE
SEXTON
DONNIE
SEXTON
Tiny Mountain Good Restaurant
Fraternity Hall,
Elkhorn
Basin
A child's grave
VALERIE HARMS
