Nestled just 1½ miles west of its more famous counterpart, Virginia City, the historic mining camp of Nevada City, Montana, shares a profound origin story with the monumental gold discovery in Alder Gulch in 1863. This pivotal find ignited a frenzied rush, leading to the rapid establishment of numerous settlements across the region, including Summit, Adobetown, Central City, and Junction. Collectively, these scattered mining camps and buildings, sprawling for some 14 miles along the gulch, became famously known as “Fourteen-mile City.” Nevada City, Montana, quickly emerged as a bustling center for placer miners, particularly those working in the rich districts of Browns Gulch and Granite Creek, areas that would later be integrated into the broader Virginia City Mining District.
The Lawless Frontier and the Birth of Vigilantism
In its nascent years, the entire mining district, including Nevada City, Montana, fell under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Territory. Prior to Virginia City becoming the official Montana territorial capital in 1865, law and order were largely absent, replaced by the often-swift justice of the miners’ courts. This period of frontier justice reached a dramatic crescendo on December 19, 1863, when Nevada City’s main street became the somber stage for the trial of George Ives. Ives stood accused of the brutal murder of Nicholas Tibalt, a popular Dutchman. The trial, a landmark event in early Montana history, captivated the region, drawing an audience of nearly 2,000 residents over three days. The miners’ jury ultimately found Ives guilty of shooting Tibalt and stealing his gold and mules.
Following his conviction, the proceedings for his execution commenced almost immediately. Within a mere 58 minutes of the verdict, Ives was hanged from a 40-foot pole extended from an unfinished house nearby, his life ending on December 21, 1863. This swift trial, conviction, and execution served as the undeniable catalyst for the formation of the notorious Montana Vigilantes. Over the subsequent month, their relentless pursuit of justice or retribution led to the hanging of approximately 24 additional men deemed guilty of various crimes throughout the area, forever etching Nevada City into the annals of frontier vigilantism.
Boom, Bust, and the Relentless March of Progress
In its heyday, Nevada City, Montana, blossomed, boasting dozens of businesses and cabins, a testament to the immense wealth extracted from Alder Gulch. However, the boom was as rapid as it was brief. By 1869, the mining camp’s population had dwindled significantly to roughly 100 residents, though it still supported a respectable array of establishments: three general stores, two saloons, a blacksmith, a butcher shop, a livery stable, a brewery, and a Masonic Hall. Yet, the exodus continued, and by 1876, the once-thriving Nevada City had largely transformed into a ghost town as miners moved on to more promising discoveries.
During the first five years of Alder Gulch’s peak, an astonishing 30 to 40 million dollars in gold was extracted. While small-scale mining operations persisted for several years, no large-scale endeavors reappeared until 1896, with the organization of the Conrey Placer Mining Company. This company brought in massive dredges in 1899, which operated for an astounding 24 years, processing over 37 million cubic yards of ground along seven miles of Alder Gulch. By the time these industrial giants ceased operations in 1923, they had recovered an additional ten million dollars in gold. However, their relentless path left a trail of destruction, annihilating many of Nevada City’s original buildings. Further loss occurred when a new highway was constructed through the area, erasing more of the town’s authentic structures.
A Vision of Preservation: The Bovey Legacy
Despite the widespread destruction, a precious few original buildings of Nevada City, Montana, were lovingly preserved by its last dedicated residents, Cora and Alfred Finney. Their efforts laid the groundwork for a much grander rescue mission that began in the 1950s. Charles and Sue Bovey, a visionary couple with a passion for preserving Montana’s history, had been “collecting” old Montana buildings since the 1940s. Many of these historically significant structures were initially displayed as an exhibit known as “Old Town” at the Great Falls fairgrounds.
In 1959, when the Boveys were asked to dismantle their Old Town exhibit, they found a new, more fitting home for their collection: the back streets of Nevada City. A meticulous process of disassembling and relocating these buildings began, with a conscious effort to retain the town’s original layout on sites where previous structures once stood. This monumental undertaking breathed new life into the historic mining camp, transforming it from a fading memory into a tangible piece of Montana’s past.
Nevada City Today: An Immersive Outdoor Museum
The transformation continued into the 1960s. In 1964, a 1.5-mile railroad line was constructed, linking Nevada City to Virginia City, complete with a railroad museum to house and protect antique rail equipment. The last building was moved to Nevada City in 1978, but the Boveys also commissioned “new” constructions, designed to authentically represent life in an early Montana settlement. In 1997, the State of Montana recognized the profound historical value of the Bovey properties, acquiring both the Virginia and Nevada City sites.
Today, Nevada City, Montana, stands as an unparalleled outdoor historical museum, meticulously managed by the Montana Heritage Commission. It boasts over 90 historic buildings sourced from various parts of Montana, alongside original Nevada City structures and carefully recreated edifices. Visitors are greeted by the magnificent Nevada City Music Hall, which proudly houses one of North America’s most extensive public collections of automated music machines. This impressive building itself has a history, originally constructed in 1912 as the Recreation Hall at Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone Park.
Across Main Street, a reconstructed depot and engine house feature a vintage 1910 Baldwin Steam Locomotive, which offers scenic rides to Virginia City. Among the original Nevada City buildings still standing are the jail where George Ives was held, the Fenner Barn, the Star Bakery, the Finney homestead, and the home of Dr. Byam, who served as the judge in the infamous Ives trial. Numerous other buildings, meticulously relocated from across Montana, enrich the museum’s offerings. These include the Nevada City Emporium, an 1880s-era building from Dillon; the Nevada City Hotel, which once functioned as an 1860s stage station south of Twin Bridges; and Sullivan’s Saddlery, originally the Indian Agency at Fort Benton, among many others, each telling its own unique story.
Conclusion
From its tumultuous beginnings as a gold rush boomtown riddled with vigilante justice, through its decline into a ghost town, and its subsequent destruction by modern industry, Nevada City, Montana, has undergone an extraordinary journey. Thanks to the visionary efforts of dedicated individuals like Charles and Sue Bovey, and the stewardship of the State of Montana, this historic site has been meticulously preserved and transformed into an immersive outdoor museum. It serves as a living testament to the grit, resilience, and dramatic history of Montana’s gold rush era, offering visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the authentic atmosphere of a 19th-century frontier settlement. A visit to Nevada City is not just a trip; it’s an educational and unforgettable encounter with the past.
