Have you ever wanted to spend the evening fighting off ghosts and ghouls in Montana? Here is a comprehensive list of the most frightening and haunted places that you can visit…..if you dare!!
1. Garnett Ghost Town
This old mining town was home to more than 1,000 people, mainly gold miners and their families, in 1895. The town consisted of homes, stores, hotels and 13 bars. A fire in 1912 destroyed most of the businesses and only 150 people stayed and continued to live in Garnett Ghost Town. In 1947 the town was officially considered abandoned. In the 1970’s the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decided to have someone stay year round because buildings were burning down. Since then there have been reports of a pianos playing quietly, men’s voices echoing, transparent figures walking the streets, fresh footprints in the snow leading into houses but never exiting and also the ghost of a women that was allegedly executed for murder. If you are feeling adventurous in the winter you may rent one of two historic cabins built in the 1930’s from the BLM.
2. Chico Hot Springs
Chico Hot Springs opened as a health-care resort in 1900 and was owned and operated by Bill and Percie Knowles. After the Great Depression Percie’s health began to decline and she spent most of her time in room 349 sitting in a rocking chair and looking out the window. In 1936 she was committed to Warm Springs State Hospital and soon passed away. There have been many reports from guests and employees of sightings of Percie. She has been seen as a hazy apparition in a period dress floating down the third floor hallway or in the dining room. There have also been reports of a strong smell of perfume and the rocking chair rocking even though no one is sitting in it. You can rent a room and relax all weekend and maybe even see a ghost!
3. Deer Lodge Prison
The old Deer Lodge Prison was built in 1871 and was a response to reign in the outlaws of the Wild West. This Prison was used until 1979 and was then converted into a museum that also leads tours. Visitors and staff members have complained of seeing flying objects, unexplained shadows, whispers and footsteps, feelings of dread and sadness, the smell of burning flesh and even the sensation of being choked. One particular cell in the hole is reported to be very cold and has a foul odor with an evil threatening presence. When people have tried to leave the hole by walking up the stairs they have said to experience a pushing back feeling, hindering them from leaving.
4. Canyon Ferry Mansion, Townsend
Wealthy railroad contractor and cattleman A.B. Cook built this 12,750 square foot mansion in 1914. In 1970 there was a brutal murder here when an intruder killed Franklin Hervey Cook, A.B’s stepson. The mansion was bought by owners Sandy and Steve Rose who turned it into a bed and breakfast. The mansion is said to have seven spirits and a poltergeist haunting the property and there have been many sightings. Some sightings include a man said to be Hervey Cook, a lady in the garden, a teenager crying on the stairs and old cars turning down the driveway and then disappearing. There have also been reports of a piano playing in the background even though there is no piano on the property, cold spots, items being unexplainably moved and the aroma of cigars.
5. Elks Lodge, Miles City
Elks Lodge #537 was built in 1914 and has a meeting room, clubroom, bar, ballroom and rooms for guests. During prohibition the Elk’s Lodge was a place where people could go for drinks and entertainment. According to legend there was a suicide committed there in 1936 and it is said that Bonnie and Clyde sat one-night playing cards. There have been numerous incidents reported including the ghost of a man donning a green jacket; a female ghost wearing a long dress has been seen gliding across rooms as well as unexplained footsteps and dark shadows.
6. Boulder Hot Springs Inn
In 1863 James Riley built a tavern and bathhouse for miners to use and has since been through many renovations. The Inn is now used as a conference center and is alcohol and tobacco free. There is evidence that suggests that a mining executive murdered a prostitute and she now haunts the halls. There has been the unexplained odor of perfume, footsteps in empty hallways, cold temperatures, strong energy and a woman in a white gown has been seen in numerous windows. The legend has grown so epic that people have even named the ghost, Simone, and you can even stay in her sweet, if you dare.
7. The University of Montana
Brantley Hall
Brantley Hall was built in 1922 as a dormitory and since the mid 1980’s has been used as an administrative office building. According to legend, a female student that killed her self in 1929 haunts the building. Countless incidences have been reported including, doors slamming, loud clapping, an eerie “sense of presence,” a female voice calling when the building was dark and locked, and woman’s feet underneath the bathroom partition when nobody was in the stall.
Rankin hall
Jeanette Rankin hall was first erected in 1908 but it wasn’t until numerous transformations that it was named after Jeanette Rankin in 1983. It is said that an entire ghostly lecture class gathers and restlessly shuffles around. There have also been reports of the sound of chairs moving around coming from the second floor and windows opening after custodians have shut them.
You wouldn’t think there could be a festival in a city of sin let alone the area of town that has been run down and hardly visited. Yet, amongst the abandoned buildings and desert, they created a beautiful mix of art, music, and learning. The festival brings together passionate people who are successful in making “life beautiful.” Here are some of things I found most inspirational.
1. Art. I have never been to a festival where there was so much art everywhere you looked. It was on the buildings, the pavement, every nook and alley way was covered in art. All three days of the festival you saw something new and interesting you didn’t even think to look for. Pictures were not able to capture everything nor the experience of walking through the art murals while hearing your favorite music in the background.
2. Food. So much food. The spread ranged from truffle tater tots to vegan pita sandwiches. One the best parts was being able to compare and contrast morsels with fellow foodies at the festival. Friends were made over the like or dislike of something and also the recommendations to try or not try certain dishes.
3. Dancing. Anywhere there is music there will be dancing, and lots of it. Even if you didn’t feel like dancing there was always someone to motivate you into cutting loose. You definitely could not avoid even just a tiny toe tap. Then there were people out there like this guy dancing as if no one was watching!
4. Lights. We are in Las Vegas so there was no shortage of light shows, bouncing ball lights, and glow sticks. The bands light shows were some of the best I have seen from a festival. Not to mention the costumes and lights the fans brought in. The ferris wheel light show was even included in all the video images on the main stage for big bands. It was like the biggest beacon, pointing to where the music would be.
5. Friends. Festivals are so cool in the way that you always meet new, but like-minded people. People from all walks of life coming together for a common interest of music, food and art. Words can never explain the connections you make at a festival. Some are short lived, some will last forever. This was one of the most “Beautiful” things of the festival.
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6. Music. The lineup for the festival was amazing and it was impossible to see every great act. But everything you did see was phenomenal and rocked your socks off! I mean literally all the music was good, which isn’t always the case when it’s live. I went in with a list of what I wanted to see but ended up deviating from my list because I would stop and listen to someone else and be caught off guard by how much I enjoyed the different set. Here are some of my favorites:
Phantogram
Holy Ghost!
Lionel Richie (The conga line to “All night Long” was awesome. I am sorry if you didn’t join)
The Beatles Love Performers
Once again, though everything was so good and uplifting, it was difficult to even come up with this list.
7. Last but not least The Flaming Lips. They have their own ways of being inspiring for several reasons. They have humble roots but you’d never know from their lavish performances and high profile friends. The confetti, the lights, the experience, is unreal. This was my third time seeing them live and it never disappoints.
I have never experienced another show where the artists are more interactive with their audience. This picture has Wayne Coyne, the lead singer, literally standing on top of the crowd.
The Life is Beautiful festival was an amazing experience. Festivals are always great but having such a mixture of food, art, and learning all in one place was what made it so much fun. If you were not there I highly encourage you to go, and If you were there, I hope this brought back great memories.
This generation is a special one. We might have a lot of haters but they will never be able to bring the Generation Y down. We are the stars of YouTube, the world-renouned photographers of Instagram, and the supermodels of Snapchat. So everyone else should follow us on Twitter because we are #kindofabigdeal and #wecantstop. To catch you up, here’s who we are and how we’ve made it this far…we’re talking hashtags.
#sorrynotsorry
Where it all began. This catchy little phrase became the perfect description for when you have maybe crossed a risky boundary but you just don’t feel bad about it. As the White Chicks movie perfectly describes, “You were thinking it! Yeah, but you said it!” This is hashtag boasts the truth with a little bit of spice.
#fml / #wtf
When you’re cussing but not actually because abbreviations “don’t count”. You know you love it, we all do. Plus, there is nothing more satisfying than being way too dramatic about some semi-rough situation.
Tongue out, Miley Cyrus style. You know what I’m talking about. These hashtags are absolutely necessary when you are living the dream with your friends in that sketchy house party that you found through a roommate’s older brother.
#winning / #swag
The competition stage. You had a great mid-day victory? You better tell the world. And if you’re feeling good about those sick glasses…show them off, duh. A little bit of swag never hurt anyone. You keep doing you.
#foodporn
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and d*** right, it’s better than yours. This hashtag is absolutely essential when you’ve just had the best/prettiest/amazeballs meal of your life…literally.
#getswoll #gains #riseandgrind
Sweet kicks, color coordinated attire, bumping playlist in the headphones, conveniently fashionable headband (optional), sweat beads dripping, adrenaline pumping, heart racing, instagram posted…you know what it is. We out here grinding.
#hashtag / #nofilter
Alright cool kids. You think you’re better just because you “don’t care” about the obsessive art of hashtagging? And let’s be real for like two seconds, you know you AT LEAST pressed auto-enhance on that gorgeous so-called “no filter” pic…and now there is a trust issue between us. So you better check yourself before you wreck yourself when it comes to walking that no-filter line of yours.
#mcm / #transformationtuesday / #wcw / #tbt
These classic hashtags provide the perfect basis for weekly updates. When you want to post but don’t have anything fabulous that you are doing right at the moment, don’t even fret because you can always default back to the OG posts. Long live the traditionals.
#letmetakeaselfie / #selfie
Can everyone please stop what you are doing immediately and give a huge thank you to the genius creation of the pop hit “Selfie” for bringing this once looked down upon hashtag to a newfound glorification. The Chainsmokers have accomplished what no one has ever dreamed of. This is ultimate success people.
Woah there. My eyes just had to re-read that about a thousand times. And I am still not sure that I know what you’re talking about so I gave up and scrolled passed. Please reduce the amount of brain power required to view your post, please and thank you.
#way #too #many #hashtags #no #one #cares
I can’t. I literally cannot. This is too much. Is every single one of those a hundred percent necessary, like really? And even though I am annoyed…I probably read every single one. So you got me, but it’s whatever I don’t even care. Kinda.
#blessed
You know you love it. Even if you hate it, you love it. Even if you don’t have an opinion toward it, yep, you love it. Don’t even lie. Jump on the blessed train, you won’t regret it…and if so, refer back to yolo.
#bae
Before anyone else? Are you sure…before your mom? Before your grandma? Before Beyonce? BEFORE YOUR PUG? I’m just not too sure about that…again, trust issues in the air.
These hashtags mark where we have been and what we have socially conquered, but now we must trend the hashtags of our future. Between our outstanding creativity and our stellar photographic skills, Generation Y will continue making history, one hashtag at a time. It is up to us… like by like, favorite by favorite, RETWEET BY RETWEET to prove to the world the power of our generation. #gobigorgohome