| OVERVIEW |
The first travelers in Mineral County were Captain John Mullan and his men in 1859. They were under orders to build a wagon road some 624 miles long that was to stretch from Walla Walla, Washington, to Fort Benton, Montana. Since no one, not even Indians, ever travelled this way, there were no trails to follow. It was a first road in the West to be built by engineering principles. The ability of Captain Mullan and his men is evident in that the route of their road was not changed for many years. The durability of the road is also evident in that several portions still survive and can be seen as you travel Interstate 90 through Mineral County.
In 1869 the discovery of gold on Cedar Creek by L.A. Barrette created an immediate stampede to the area. As among the first to arrive were merchants and businessmen from Frenchtown and Hellgate, which is now Missoula, it was considered one of the most lawful and organized of all gold rushes.
In 1870 a census showed just under 1700 people in the county with most engaged in some sort of mining activity. Ten years later only 265 persons remained with most becoming permanent residents and by 1900 the county was fairly stable consisting of merchants, trades and professionals.
At the present time there are several operating mining interests with placer mines still producing sizable amounts of gold. Silver, copper, lead and zinc are also of economic importance to the county.
Situated in the western section of Montana, Mineral County is bounded by Missoula and Sanders counties and the state of Idaho. It has a total area of 1223 square miles and the Clark Fork and St. Regis rivers constitute almost all of the water surface area in the county. Most of the county topography is quite rugged with elevations ranging from 2500 to 8000 feet above sea level. Most of the land is covered by forests of the Lolo National Forest. The population is spread relatively evenly through the center of the county and generally clusters near transportation routes and the river valleys. Federal, state and secondary highways serve the county, including lnterstate 90.
In 1914 the city of Superior was named the county seat of the newly created county.
Blazing the Mullan
Road - Although Lewis and Clark were the first explorers
known to have recorded their travels through the geographic region known
as Montana in 1805, it was John Mullan, first a lieutenant and later a
captain in the U.S. Army, who left his stamp on the area. Cedar Creek Gold Rush
- The discovery of gold and the ensuing stampede into Mineral County's
Cedar Creek gulch took place more than 100 years ago. Time has dimmed
much of the story, but it is known that Cedar had all the elements of
greed, violence and rowdiness found in gold mining camps. Superior's Wild and Woolly
Days - "A blank stranger came up to Curly, the bar-tender
("Curly" Coleman), and stabbed him through the heart. Tom Meininger,
the crippled constable with one wooden leg, held him for a few days, then
let him go. There was no sheriff here, and Missoula officials weren't
bothered much about Superior law-breaking."
A
Step Back in Time
Social Life in and about Superior - "At another time a traveling minister came to pray in the street of Superior. The miners endured it for a few minutes, then routed him by a stream of water from a hose."
Moose City & Interesting Early Day Characters - "In the early days, many of the miners were French Canadians. I remember watching Norman Ouilette and Joe Charette talking one day, using their hands freely, as Frenchman must. Finally, Ouilette said, 'Let's talk English awhile. My hands are getting cold.' "
1910 Fire In Mineral County - "The morning of August 21 I was awakened by a loud banging at the front door of the Hotel at DeBorgia. I hurried to the door and Mr. Fred Wence... was very excited and said, 'Joe, the whole country is afire.' The ranger had telephoned to the section house to alert everybody in town and for someone to go to Bill Magee's ranch and tell him to ride up Big Creek and warn a crew of 200 men who had a camp in there fighting fire as he thought (they) might get caught and not be able to get out safely." -Notes by Joseph A. Mayo
This site is designed and maintained by Delphin Systems | © 1999-2005 by Delphin Systems. All rights reserved.
