Perched high in the Rocky Mountains in a bowl along Alder Gulch, Virginia City, Montana got its start when gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in 1863. Planning on keeping their discovery a secret, the men traveled to Bannack, some 60 miles to the southwest, for supplies. However, several sharp-eyed prospectors noticed their gold-filled sacks and when the men returned to Alder Gulch, some 200 miners were following them.

Town view from above in 1866. Vintage photo restored by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.