We have to go to Virginia City, boys.

The evening we arrived in West Yellowstone, Montana, we were disappointed in not seeing a single bear or moose. 
We saw a road sign at the edge of town, warning us to watch for wildlife for the next 10 miles. The sign baited us with a picture of a bear.
It was about dusk, a perfect time wildlife could be wandering around.
We headed up the highway.  Pointing off to the left, we saw a sign directing us to the town of Virginia City.
Megan got excited and asked how far away it was. In her mind, it represented everything about the wild, wild West.  Pa Cartwright on Bonanza saying, "I have to go to Virginia City boys."

Virginia City, although in Montana and not Nevada, the name screamed character.

Join us as we slowly go down the mountain into the historic community that rests at 5,761 foot elevation.

Let's spit out what we are about to face:
Virginia City, Montana, was part of the Dakota Territory, then Idaho Territory, before it came into into own with the discovery of gold in the early 1860s. Of course, that's part of almost every ghost town's heritage.
It was the territorial capitol before Montana was a state, pretty lawless.
Today, Virginia City is being kept alive by the state of Montana as a historic district, after inspired residents started buying up the town and old structures before their heritage was lost. 

Today, Virginia City's year-round population is fewer than 200. Not much in that scenic little valley.

Virginia City is the county seat of Madison County.  The Madison County Courthouse is the red brick building with black roof. (Notice the stone church behind the courthouse).

Nobody pumps gas here.  This is a ghost gas station. 

But people still ride their horses into town.

And their motorcycles.

All people had to hear was: Gold was found in May 1863. Thousands of people raced here with dreams of getting rich. Men, gold, alcohol, power contributed to a period of lawlessness and vigilante justice that didn't end until the Montana Territory was created in in 1864, and Virginia City was the Territorial Capitol. Eighty years later, Virginia City was one of the first preservation efforts in the West.

This is main street Virginia City, the only paved road in town. No stop lights and no stop signs on this road. But you are welcome to pull over and park your car or park your horse. There are plenty of souvenirs, saloons and history for all.

A plaque said this is the oldest stone building in Virginia City, constructed in the summer of 1863. Folklore has it that the Vigilantes met in this building and handed out justice, killing more than two dozen criminal road agents.

A blacksmith eventually took over the building, that served as a livery in the 1870s. He married the widow of one of the hanged road agents. He turned the second floor into a hayloft.

Horse drawn equipment in the building.

And lots of accessories for work horses. Sorry, we're not familiar with horses and their needs. We thought the pictures were interesting, but it would have been creepy to live or work there, following all the violent happenings in 1860s Virginia City.

The sign says St. Paul's Episcopal Church was established in 1867. Sunday worship services are at 9 a.m., as it remains an active church.

We're standing in the Virginia City Cemetery. See the gravel city streets on the other hill? We'll visit the residential part of Virginia, its two cemeteries and tell you a little more historic tidbits next time.

Megan and Dwain