Elkhorn, Montana

Elkhorn, Montana
Census-designated place
Fraternity Hall
Elkhorn Show map of Montana Elkhorn Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 46°16′29″N 111°56′45″W / 46.27472°N 111.94583°W / 46.27472; -111.94583[1]
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Jefferson
Established	1872
Named for	Elkhorn Mountains
Area [2]
• Total	6.74 sq mi (17.46 km2)
• Land	6.74 sq mi (17.46 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	6,444 ft (1,964 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12
• Density	1.78/sq mi (0.69/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-23865
GNIS feature ID	0783128[1]

Elkhorn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson County, Montana, United States, in the Elkhorn Mountains of the southwestern part of the state. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 10.^[3] The community is considered a ghost town,^[4][5] and two of its buildings are preserved as Elkhorn State Park.^[6][4]

Lodes of silver, described by geologists as supergene enrichments, were initially discovered in the Elkhorn Mountains by Peter Wys, a Swiss immigrant.^[7] Six years later, Anton Holter, a pioneer capitalist from Helena, began developing the mine. Over $14 million in silver was carried from the mine. In 1890, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act passed, creating a high demand for Elkhorn's silver.

During this peak period, Elkhorn had 2,500 inhabitants, a school, a hotel, a church, stores, saloons, and brothels. Unlike most mining towns, Elkhorn was populated mostly by families of married European immigrants.^[8] In 1893, the Fraternity Hall was constructed for social gatherings, and still remains as one of the most well-preserved buildings in modern Elkhorn.

In the years following, the silver boom and Elkhorn's prosperity began to lessen as the desire for silver decreased. A diphtheria epidemic struck Elkhorn in the winter of 1888–1889, resulting in many deaths, particularly of children.^[8] Soon after, railroad service to Elkhorn was halted and only a fraction of the original inhabitants remained.

The state of Montana designated Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall as Elkhorn State Park in 1980.^[9]

Elkhorn is in eastern Jefferson County on the south side of the Elkhorn Mountains, in the valley of Elkhorn Creek. It can only be reached through its neighboring town, Boulder, by taking the I-15 exit for Boulder, continuing 7 miles (11 km) southeast on Montana Highway 69, then 11 miles (18 km) north on graveled county roads.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elkhorn CDP has an area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²), all land.^[3]

While very few standing buildings remain of the original Elkhorn, a number of cabins have been reoccupied and refurbished. In 2010, there were 10 inhabitants.^[3]

The school districts for the community are Boulder Elementary School District and Jefferson High School District^[11]

• List of ghost towns in Montana
• Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society

Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Elkhorn, Montana.

• Elkhorn State Park Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
• Elkhorn, Montana at Western Mining History
• Profile for Elkhorn, Montana ePodunk