Copperopolis, Montana Explained

Official Name:Copperopolis, Montana
Settlement Type:Ghost Town
Pushpin Map:Montana#USA
Pushpin Label:Copperopolis
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Montana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Meagher
Area Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2010
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Timezone:Mountain (MST)
Utc Offset:-7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:-6
Elevation Ft:5652
Coordinates:46.6147°N -110.6667°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Area Code:406
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID

Copperopolis was a mining community situated in Meagher County, Montana, United States.

History

Copperopolis served originally as a stage station. It was halfway between White Sulphur Springs and Martinsdale. In 1866 copper veins were discovered in the area north of the Castle Mountains and started attracting attention as a mining center. The deepest shafts ran to 550 feet although much of the ore was recovered close to the grass roots. Hauling costs were extremely expensive until a railroad was built in Martinsdale in 1896.

Copperopolis developed into a family town containing a general store, livery stable, blacksmith shop, barber shop, boarding house, restaurant, and bunkhouses. During the first nine months of operation a quarter of a million dollars was uncovered from the mines. In 1901 copper export prices were cut in half due to the depression in Germany. The mines were forced to close down in 1903 and the families moved away. A story goes that two men remained in town but hated each other. They even visited the town spring at different times to avoid each other.

In 1915 attempts were made to homestead the land.

All of the buildings have been torn down except for one cabin. The lumber was hauled away. What remains is a true ghost town.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2011-05-14 .
  3. Web site: Copperopolis in White Sulphur Springs Montana.