Almost within a stone’s throw of each other (as the saying goes) are these three mining camps. Landore was born in 1898. The town quickly prospered, had a daily stage stop and a weekly newspaper. In 1904, a smelter was constructed but for unknown reasons the venture was not successful. The most noticeable feature today at Landore is the tall brick chimney from the smelter and a few original cabins are still standing. About a half-mile down Indian Creek from Landore is the town of Decorah. It was the “fun town” for miners from Landore and Helena. Just a short ways up Garnet Creek from Decorah is the three-cabin settlement of Garnet Town. The tumbled remains of the three cabins are still there.

Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.