This map of Granite County, Montana published by the Society of Montana Pioneers in 1899, highlights the county’s towns, settlements, and geographic features during its late 19th-century mining boom. G
ranite County was officially established in 1893, named after the Granite Mountain Mine, one of the most productive silver mines of its time. The county’s economy and settlement patterns were driven by mining, with transportation infrastructure and small communities developing to support the extraction of mineral wealth.
Phillipsburg, the county seat, was a thriving mining town at the time, known for its abundant silver and sapphire deposits. Founded in the 1860s, it became the economic and administrative center of the region, transitioning to ranching and agriculture as the mining industry declined. Granite, a prominent mining town located near the Granite Mountain Mine, boasted significant infrastructure and a robust population during its peak but has since become a ghost town.
Rumsey, another mining settlement, served as a logistical center for nearby operations, while Hall was a rural community with an economy tied to agriculture and trade. Drummond, located along key transportation routes, emerged as a rail hub, connecting Granite County’s resources to broader markets. Other smaller settlements, such as Quigley and Princeton, played a role in the region’s mining activities but were often short-lived as mining ventures came and went.
Bearmouth was a critical stop along stage and rail lines, serving as a supply point and a center for commerce. The map also identifies geographic features like Medicine Tree Hills, which reflect the region’s Native American heritage, and smaller settlements such as Stone Station and Flint, which were tied to the area's mining and ranching industries.
Granite County’s late 19th-century prosperity, driven by silver mining, is reflected in the communities and features depicted on this map. Over time, as mining declined, the county’s economy shifted towards agriculture, ranching, and, more recently, tourism.