Zortman - Montana Ghost Town

ZORTMAN

NAME: Zortman
COUNTY: Phillips
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 2
CLIMATE: Cold winter with snow and cool summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: See the old church.
REMAINS: Many ruins remain.

In the early days, the eastern part of the Little Rockies was not a very friendly place for prospectors. There are stories of parties of prospectors venturing into the area never to be heard from again. Indians made it very clear they were not welcome. That was in the 1860s. As time passed, however, little by little miners gained a foothold and in 1884 the major discoveries began to emerge. Because of the nature of the ore, little progress was made until the new process of reduction by cyanide was made. By that time, nearly 2000 miners had entered the area. Pete Zortman was one of those. He located a rich claim on the eastern side of the Little Rockies, the lode that was to become the famous Alabama Mine. The town of Zortman began a lengthy period of prosperity aided by the still richer mines in Ruby Gulch above Zortman. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

In the early days, the eastern part of the Little Rockies was not a very friendly place for prospectors. There are stories of parties of prospectors venturing into the area never to be heard from again. Indians made it very clear they were not welcome. That was in the 1860s. As time passed, however, little by little miners gained a foothold and in 1884 the major discoveries began to emerge. Because of the nature of the ore, little progress was made until the new process of reduction by cyanide was made. By that time, nearly 2000 miners had entered the area. Pete Zortman was one of those. He located a rich claim on the eastern side of the Little Rockies, the lode that was to become the famous Alabama Mine. The town of Zortman began a lengthy period of prosperity aided by the still richer mines in Ruby Gulch above Zortman. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

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