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Yellowstone County – Your Ancestral Past Trail Series

Out in the Boonies (Trip # 15)

Pompeys Pillar

By Dave Dodge & Cleve Kimmel

Castle Town – A Fun Trip

This is a really fun trip to Castle Town, called Castle by early map-makers and local residents. Main Street passed through the center of town, which is nestled between to hills to the northeast & southwest. Castle Creek passes through the town. The Cumberland Silver & Lead Mining operations are located about one mile west of the town. Prospectors located about 1500 claims, of which 15 to 20 became significant producers of primarily lead and silver, with some copper, gold, manganese and iron. The most important, the Cumberland mine was the state's largest producer of lead in 1891. High transportation costs cut into mine profits, and the financial panic of 1893 dealt the final blow to the isolated district.  Lead bullion was transported out in “100 #” ingots by wagon to the “Jaw Bone” Railroad line constructed in 1896 was built specifically to carry the heavy material to the refinery sites, but arrived too late to save the town. [Refer to http://www.deq.mt.gov/abandonedmines/linkdocs/techdocs/132tech.asp for details about the town and its mining operations.] The town is located on private property and some buildings are still standing. You can see them from the road. [Additional pictures of these buildings are depicted in http://travel.webshots.com/album/414374048uMwxvS.] At the bottom of this web site the town and the mine locations are depicted just prior to its demise.

Map Overview of Trek – Use a 4x4 Vehicle with high ground clearance. Bumpy roadway.

Start

At Checkerboard ZERO the odometer and follow the route sections shown on the TOPO map. At the small ‘hamlet’ of Checkerboard turn left into town and drive past the local bar, and proceed downhill. Of course, if thirsty, you can stop at the bar and chat for a spell. At the bottom of the hill there should be a sign that says “Private Property Next Two Miles.” Stay on the road!

If you see this sign, you have entered the correct road for reaching the Castle Mountains in Lewis & Clark National Park.

Mile 2.4

A collection of signs greets you with advice to stay on the road, entering the National Forest and caution about cattle. The views are spectacular.

Mile 7.8

To your left is a Forest Service sign pointing to Limestone Ridge. Follow that route.

Mile 8.9

Finally you will reach a road junction with a lot of arrows in it. One arrow was pointing toward Castle. At this point we saw the sign; but Indians were noted!

Follow the arrow leading to Castle!

Mile 9.3

Another arrow riddled sign. Follow the arrow pointing to Castle.

No picture available. You are on your OWN!

Mile 16.6

You have arrived at Castle, and the interpretive sign says it all.

Castle Pictures

Cumberland Mine – West of Castle

Return

Time to pack up and start home. You will be following the old service road southeast that leads to the town of Lennup where there is beautiful old church. Continue south through Lennup to highway 294 and turn east towards Martinsdale.

Mile 24.1

You are now in Lennup where the church & other buildings stand.

Mile 36

Continue on highway 294 to Martinsdale and take cutoff road north to highway 12. You will pass by the Bair Mansion-Museum.

Take time out to visit the museum and the facilities offered there.

Mile 38.1

After reaching US 12, turn right and go back to Harlowton.  Harlowton is 25.5 miles to the east. The total mileage traveled is 102.

Photo – Montana State Travel Site

At Harlowton, turn right at the Milwaukee Road electric engine, continue on to the museum a short distance down the street on the right. After the visit, return home anyway you want. The Upper Musselshell Museum is housed in a the two-story limestone building, constructed in 1909, and is filled with tartifacts that belonged to the people who lived in, worked, and developed the Upper Musselshell River country. Open May through October, Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00 and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00.