JEFFERSON COUNTY RAILROAD HISTORY
The vast population of the Western United States in the latter part of the 19th century depended on the railroad industry not only for transportation, but for supplies as well.  Miners flocking to the West during the Gold Rush anxiously awaited their monthly supplies to be delivered to the nearest railroad station.  As mines and ranches were discovered and settled in Jefferson County, Montana, the railroad began building additional track and stations throughout the County.  Today much of the railroad track has been replaced by roads and homes, but back in 1900 the railroad was a intimate part of Jefferson County.

Loading Grain In Jefferson County

 Service in Jefferson County ran daily from Helena to Butte.  However, many small mining towns like Corbin, Calvin, and Alhambra also had railroad depots for transportation of grain, logs, coal, mail and other supplies.  As towns were separated by vast distances, train travel replaced horses as a much faster mode of transportation.  Train travel, although much faster than horses, still had its disadvantages.  For example, steam engines fueled by coal belched large quantities of black soot into the air.  Blackened faces and filthy clothes of both the engineer and passengers were not unusual after a day's ride.  During the 20th Century, train travel continued through the larger towns in Jefferson County, but the flood of 1981 swept away many of the remaining tracks in the County. 

Gentlemen awaiting the train at a depot in Jefferson County, Montana

Family awaiting transportation from Calvin, Montana 1888.

 

Back to Start