May 22 to Virginia City and Butte, MT

North of West Yellowstone, we saw a sign that indicated turn left for Virginia City.  In doing so, we discovered Hebgen Lake on the Madison river.  This lake the site of a 7.5 Richter earthquake that occurred in 1959 and killed about 20 people.  We stopped at interpretive sign sites.

At least 15 bodies were never recovered.  The sections of roadside along Hebgen Lake where campers had pitched tents for the night disappeared and the lucky ones jumped for their lives.

this section of road used to pass just left of  thewherre center trees are

Hebgen Lake's dam held, though a powerful seiche rolled over it's top.  Downstream, massive landslides on opposite sides of the Madison river blocked its flow and created an earthquake lake below Hebgen dam.  Rrising waters of the new lake imperiled rescue.

remainder of trees in Earthquake Lake

From top of the landslide looking downstream at Madison River

Nice scenery on way to Virginia City, MT

Virginia City was territorial capital of Montana and a gold rush town during the Civil War and for a few years thereafter. Many local folk sympathized with the South and preferred naming their town Varina (for first lady of the Confederacy), but Yankee officials suppressed the idea.

Some of the larger buildings were brick.  Impressive, given everything was bought in by wagon.

first Governor's mansion during territorial days

Five markers of executed highwaymen top Boot Hill.  Most folks moved their deceased loved ones to the next hill, where decent folk could rest.

The five had been been speedily strung up in the building below, which was then under construction.  A rafter ran from the notch over the window at mid roof to the other side.  The  "convicted" hung from the rafter.  Prior to burial, businessmen borrowed bodies for display as curiositiesy to attract customers.

There were several good museum-like store displays

We boondocked at Walmart in Butte.  Side lot was quied and there were half a dozen of other campers