Dillon To Celebrate Bannack's Golden Anniversary As A State Park

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Bannack, one of Montana’s most carefully preserved ghost towns, will celebrate its golden anniversary as a State Park with activities in Dillon on Monday, July 12, including a book signing and public reception.

“For 50 years, Bannack has contributed to the Dillon-area economy, drawing in tourists from all over the country to experience a real ghost town,” said Tom Lowe, assistant manager of Bannack State Park. “We are fortunate today to have this grande dame of ghost towns preserved as a Montana State Park.”

To help celebrate the park’s 50 th anniversary, Rick and Susie Graetz, will be on hand to sign copies of, Bannack, Foundation of Montana , a full-color history of the ghost town that captures the haunting qualities of Bannack and the surrounding landscape. The book signing is set for 4-6 p.m. on Monday, July 12, at The Bookstore, 26 N. Idaho St.

The public is also invited to a reception, sponsored by the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce, at 6 p.m. at The Old Depot Theatre.   As part of the reception, Rick Graetz will present slides and a narrative about the Dillon area and Bannack beginning at 7 p.m.

  Bannack became a State Park in 1954 when the Beaverhead County Museum donated a portion of the present day site to the state to preserve.   Through the years, the state acquired more than 1,000 acres surrounding the site including space for camping and picnics. Bannack State Park is 25 miles southwest of Dillon.