Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine
Nestled in the rugged terrain of Montana, a mere four miles south of the imposing Continental Divide and approximately 25 miles northwest of the state capital, Helena, lies Marysville. This locale, now whispering tales of a bygone era, was once a vibrant and bustling mining camp, its streets echoing with the clamor of industry and the hopes of fortune-seekers. The genesis of Marysville can be traced back to 1876, when an industrious Irishman named Tommy Cruse stumbled upon a rich vein of gold along the banks of Silver Creek.
Cruse, a seasoned placer miner, had been diligently working the downstream areas of the creek. Driven by an unyielding determination to locate the mother lode, he ventured further upstream, his gamble paying off handsomely when he unearthed the source of the gold. The discovery marked the beginning of Marysville’s rise to prominence.
Facing financial constraints, Cruse was compelled to secure funding to effectively develop his claim. Despite these initial hurdles, his efforts soon bore fruit as the Drumlummon Mine began yielding substantial returns. Almost immediately after beginning to mine, Cruse recovered more than $140,000 worth of ore. The Drumlummon Mine would become synonymous with Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine.
News of Cruse’s remarkable find spread like wildfire, igniting a gold rush that drew prospectors and entrepreneurs from far and wide. The allure of striking it rich transformed the landscape, as the population swelled and a community began to take shape.
Cruse, in a gesture of respect, named the burgeoning mining camp Marysville in honor of Mary Ralston, recognized as the settlement’s first female resident. The mine itself was christened Drumlummon, a tribute to the parish in Ireland where Cruse was born. By 1880, Cruse had established a five-stamp mill near the Drumlummon Mine to process the extracted ore, a significant step in solidifying the mining operation. The establishment of the Marysville Post Office in February 1881 further cemented the town’s status as a thriving hub, boasting a diverse array of businesses that catered to the needs of its growing population. The history of Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine is rich with the tales of the Wild West.
In 1884, Cruse made a pivotal decision, selling the Drumlummon Mine to an English Corporation for a considerable sum: one million dollars in cash, supplemented by an additional half-million in stock. With his newfound wealth, Cruse relocated to Helena, where he constructed a grand mansion and ventured into the banking sector. At the age of 50, he married a younger woman. Tragedy struck a year later when his bride passed away during childbirth, leaving Cruse restless and prompting his return to the Marysville area. There, he acquired the Bald Mountain Mine on Bald Butte, a venture that would yield substantial quantities of gold, silver, copper, and lead ore over the years.
Within two years of acquiring the Drumlummon Mine, the English company invested heavily in its infrastructure, constructing 110 stamp mills to enhance ore processing capabilities. The 1880s and 1890s marked a period of unprecedented prosperity for Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine. Beyond the Drumlummon Mine, twelve additional mines operated in the area. Marysville flourished, boasting approximately 60 businesses, which included 27 saloons, seven hotels, three newspapers, grocery and drug stores, a bank, a dry-goods store, a bakery, three churches, two doctors, and numerous other establishments. At its zenith, the mining camp was served by two railroads, facilitating the transportation of ore and supplies. Mining operations ran around the clock, and the area supported a population estimated at around 4,000 residents. The community also prioritized education, constructing a school that accommodated over 250 children.
Beyond its economic activity, Marysville fostered a strong sense of community, hosting numerous social events and activities. These included ice cream socials, garden parties, and concerts by the Marysville Brass Band. A particularly popular form of entertainment was drilling contests, where miners competed to determine who could drill the fastest into boulders of hard rock. These competitions attracted participants from across the globe, all vying for the coveted World’s Drilling Record. One such event in Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine was said to have drawn over a thousand spectators.
As the turn of the century approached, the fortunes of Marysville began to wane. The rich ores that had fueled its prosperity started to become depleted. The Drumlummon Mine became entangled in a lawsuit with the neighboring St. Louis Mining Company over boundary rights. Production slowed, leading to a gradual exodus of residents seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Compounding these challenges, a devastating fire swept through the town in 1909, destroying several buildings. Despite the setback, the resilient community persevered and undertook the task of rebuilding.
The lawsuit between the mining companies was eventually resolved, culminating in the St. Louis Mining Company’s acquisition of the Drumlummon Mine in 1911. Though mining operations continued until 1948, the town of Marysville was already in decline.
By the 1950s, many homes were relocated to other areas, while those that remained stood silent and abandoned, succumbing to the ravages of time and the elements. Over the past half-century, nature has gradually reclaimed its territory.
While estimates vary, it is believed that the Drumlummon Mine and other mines in the area produced some $50 million worth of ore.
Today, Marysville, Montana – Home of the Drumlummon Mine stands as a testament to a bygone era. Numerous old buildings, remnants of its vibrant past, dot the landscape, and its historic cemetery, though showing signs of neglect, serves as a poignant reminder of those who lived and died during the town’s heyday. The graveyard contains several graves from a mining disaster that occurred at the nearby Belmont Mine in 1891.
Several buildings remain standing in Marysville, including the 1895 J.A. Shaffer Mercantile, the Masonic Lodge, the Nels Lund Saloon, the 1886 Methodist Church, and the schoolhouse. Cabins and mining remnants are scattered across the surrounding hillsides.
However, Marysville has undergone a transformation in recent years. It has gradually evolved into a bedroom community of Helena and a summer destination for those who have chosen to rehabilitate existing buildings or construct new homes.
The rising price of gold in the late 2000s spurred the reopening of the Drumlummon Mine. However, operations ceased in the summer of 2013 after the price of gold dropped from its peak.
Although Marysville has slowly transitioned into the 21st century, its legends and tales persist. According to the town’s lore, numerous strange events occur in the area. Locals say that several unearthly spirits haunt Marysville and the surrounding area.
Near Marysville, an unexplainable hunter riding a bicycle and appearing severely mangled has been seen pulling a dead wolf. Nearby, a headless woman has been spotted on the summit of Bald Butte. Another unwelcome guest has been spied in American Gulch: an old miner with a big mustache and a hook right hand. Another probable miner, who also appears headless, has been seen near 1 Spring.