With two trips down, and two to go, I set out for my farthest journey to date when I headed north to Montana to see the living ghost town, Virginia City.
Originally established in 1863, Virginia City became a gold mining town during the civil war to raise funds for the south. Following the California gold rush, Montana was the next hot stop for prospectors. But that brought with it, in true old west fashion, crime and lawlessness, saloons, gambling halls and plenty of trouble for the towns folk.
Ken Shields, Virginia City Historian: "We romanticize the history of this place but actually the first ten years especially was just not real pleasant. It was a lawless gold town".
The brief and turbulent period of the roughnecks eventually came to an end when the Montana Territory was founded in 1864. When the territory was established, the law finally started to crack down on the town.
The last thing a bandit would want, were the numbers 3-7-77 on their door. Which meant, they had 3 hours, seven minutes, and 77 seconds to get out of town. And if they didn't, they'd be hanged; such was the case for legendary western criminals. "Clubfoot" George Lane, Boone Holm, and Jack Gallagher are just a few who all have their tombstones at the Boothill Cemetery, located in the hills overlooking town.
Nan Worle, Information Center Manager: "They were all buried 3 feet wide, 7 feet deep, and 77 inches long. Today, Montana Highway Patrol still honors that. They wear the three sevens on their patches and their vehicles across the whole state".
At it's peak, Virginia City's population was over 25 thousand. But the gold was all but mined out and when the railroad bypassed the town, most moved on. Today, just 136 people call Virginia City home.
Anthony Congi: "Virginia City, Montana is definitely a town stuck in time. But in just a few short weeks, this old ghost town will be thriving just like it was in the late 1800's".
From Memorial day to Labor Day, Virginia City comes back to life. During the summer, the town rekindles its old west feel when the town dresses in clothes from the 1800's, and tourists can take their pick of a variety of western shows at either the Opera House or the Brewery Follies. There's also several shops and the legendary Outlaw Cafe.
And for the thrill seekers, there's another tour which also gives reason why Virginia City is a ghost town...ghost-hunting. Virginia City is a paranormal capital with all the history of violence from their old west days.
Shields: "Just some odd events that take place, we have ghost walks in the summertime, take tourists around to some of the older buildings, tell stories about the specific ghost-people that reside there".
And at just over four hundred miles round trip, Virginia City is a great place to check out for your next road trip.
Be sure to join me again next Thursday at 10, to see where I go for my final trip of "Rockies on a Tank of Gas.