Nestled in the rugged Pioneer Mountains of Montana, the Hecla Mining District once pulsed with the feverish activity of prospectors and miners. This historically rich region, also known variously as the Glendale or Bryant Mining District, spanned ten miles of gulches and valleys, becoming a significant hub for silver, lead, copper, and zinc production. Over its active years, the district yielded nearly $20 million in valuable ore, a testament to its profound impact on Montana’s mining history.
The story of the Hecla Mining District begins in the 1870s, when four distinct mining camps – Trapper City, Lion City, Glendale, and Hecla – sprang up on the flanks of Lion Mountain. While it was one of the later districts to be established in the Pioneer Mountains, its unparalleled richness quickly set it apart, drawing fortune seekers from across the nation.
The Initial Silver Rush and the Birth of Trapper City
The first significant mineral claim in the area was made in 1872 by William “Billy” Spurr and James Bryant, who christened their discovery the Forest Queen. However, it was James Bryant’s subsequent return in 1873 with a new party of prospectors that truly ignited the boom. During this expedition, they unearthed the immensely rich Trapper Lode, a silver outcropping that would become foundational to the district’s prosperity.
After officially staking their claim in Bannack, Montana, the men immediately commenced operations, extracting silver and lead. This precious ore was laboriously transported by pack train and wagons to the railroad hub at Corinne, Utah, then shipped to Denver, Colorado, for smelting. News of the Trapper Lode’s bounty spread like wildfire, attracting a wave of prospectors from Bannack and beyond. Soon, additional lodes like the Cleve and Avon Mines were discovered and brought into production.
Trapper City emerged as the district’s first mining camp, establishing a post office in 1873. Its rapid growth reflected the intense mining activity, boasting a hotel, multiple saloons, a brothel, a general store, a butcher shop, a livery stable, and numerous cabins along Trapper Creek. The settlement’s population quickly swelled to nearly 200 residents, though its prominence was destined to be short-lived as mining operations shifted further up Lion Mountain.
Glendale and the Hecla Consolidated Mining Company’s Ascendancy
In 1875, a pivotal development occurred with the construction of a 40-ton smelter down Trapper Creek by Noah Armstrong and Charles Dahler. The mill workers’ camp that formed around this facility was named Glendale, and it too received its own post office in the same year. Glendale quickly became home to a growing community of employees and their families, earning a reputation as the most refined and civilized of the district’s camps. The town also proudly hosted “The Montana Brewery,” operated by John Mannheim, formerly of Bannack, and a general merchandise store owned by Noah Armstrong himself.
Two years later, Noah Armstrong, along with East Coast investors, established the formidable Hecla Consolidated Mining Company. This new entity aggressively acquired the original Trapper Lode claimants and began systematically developing the rich deposits on Lion Mountain. The company’s unique name was inspired by a painting of Mount Hecla, an Icelandic volcano, which adorned its payroll office. The Hecla Consolidated Mining Company swiftly absorbed numerous workings on Lion Mountain, including the Cleopatra, Trapper, Franklin, Cleve-Avon, Mark Anthony, Ariadne, True Fissure, and Atlantus lodes. By 1878, Glendale had flourished into a town of almost 1,000 residents.
Concurrently, the new settlement of Lion City, located at the base of Lion Mountain, also experienced rapid growth. By 1878, most residents and businesses from Trapper City had relocated to either Lion City or Glendale. Lion City subsequently thrived, featuring three saloons, two brothels, two hotels, various businesses, a school, and a population of approximately 600 people.
Leadership Changes and Unprecedented Expansion Under Knippenberg
The Glendale smelter proved highly productive, processing about one million ounces of silver and thousands of tons of lead and copper annually. However, a significant setback occurred in July 1879 when the smelter tragically burned down. That same year, Noah Armstrong was replaced as the Hecla Consolidated Mining Company’s General Manager by Elias C. Atkins. Yet, the company’s performance remained unsatisfactory for investors, leading to Atkins’ replacement in April 1881 by Henry Knippenberg.
Knippenberg’s arrival marked a turning point. He quickly reorganized the company into three distinct divisions, each overseen by its own superintendent. Under his astute leadership, the company regained profitability by the end of the year. Simultaneously, the Glendale Smelter was rebuilt, enlarged, and recommenced operations, symbolizing the district’s renewed vigor.
Henry Knippenberg chose Glendale as his home, commissioning a grand mansion overlooking the townsite for his family. During the early 1880s, Glendale reached its zenith, boasting a population of around 2,000. It flourished with numerous businesses, hotels, four saloons, a newspaper called The Atlantis, restaurants, a school, an opera house, a church, a hospital, and even one of the largest skating rinks in Montana.
Recognizing the social challenges posed by Lion City’s numerous “bawdy opportunities,” Knippenberg also established the company town of Hecla, about a mile from Lion City. This new settlement offered boarding houses for miners and housed the company’s mine offices, providing direct access to the mines and enhancing miner morale. In 1882, Knippenberg further expanded the infrastructure by adding the Greenwood Concentrator halfway down the mountain and installing four miles of narrow-gauge tramway to efficiently transport ore from Hecla to the mill. By 1885, the sprawling plant encompassed three blast furnaces, two crushers, a large roaster, two powder houses, multiple warehouses, and numerous other essential mine buildings.
The Inevitable Decline and Enduring Legacy
Despite its impressive growth and productivity, the Hecla Mining District, like many others, faced an insurmountable challenge with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893. This legislative change profoundly impacted silver prices, crippling the district’s profitability. While operations continued on a reduced scale for some time, the rich ore bodies were dramatically depleted by the turn of the century.
The company’s most prolific mine, the Cleopatra, ceased operations in 1895, and in 1900, the iconic Glendale Smelter was dismantled. Only the Atlantis and Cleve Mines managed to continue, but by 1904, all operations by the Hecla Consolidated Mining Company had come to a complete halt.
However, Henry Knippenberg remained undeterred. That same year, he purchased the operations at a sheriff’s sale, convinced there was still value to be extracted. Knippenberg then leased the properties to the Penobscot Mining Company, which continued to mine the area for several more years. Ultimately, in 1915, the mines closed permanently, though small-scale work on the old slag piles persisted until 1922. For decades thereafter, the property changed hands repeatedly as new developers attempted to re-work the old mines and tailings, but these ventures, while recovering minor amounts of ore, proved largely unprofitable.
Though its boom years concluded and its mining camps gradually succumbed to abandonment, the Hecla Consolidated Mining Company stands out as one of Montana’s most successful enterprises of its kind, having paid dividends to its investors for over two decades. This legacy underscores the district’s historical significance.
Visiting the Ghost Towns Today
Today, the bustling streets of Trapper City have long vanished, leaving no trace behind. Yet, Glendale still offers glimpses into its past, with the remains of the towering smelter stack, fragments of the old stone office building, and a few resilient structures standing as silent witnesses to its former glory. Lion City and Hecla also retain a handful of decaying buildings and remnants of their extensive mining operations. For those seeking even deeper historical connections, the remarkably preserved charcoal kilns can be found approximately five miles beyond Glendale on Canyon Creek Road.
The historic Hecla Mining District can be accessed from I-15 at Exit 93, near Melrose, by taking Trapper Creek Road. Glendale is about five miles down this route, with Lion City and Hecla located another seven miles further. Due to the challenging terrain, a four-wheel-drive vehicle or an ATV is highly recommended for exploring these fascinating historical sites.
Conclusion
The Hecla Mining District offers a compelling narrative of ambition, innovation, and ultimately, the transient nature of mineral wealth. From the initial silver strikes that drew eager prospectors to the establishment of thriving towns and the eventual decline, its story is etched into the rugged Montana landscape. The enduring physical remnants, though few, serve as poignant reminders of a bygone era when the Pioneer Mountains echoed with the sounds of industry and the promise of untold riches, leaving an indelible mark on Montana’s rich mining heritage.
