Rich veins of silver were mined in the Historic Neihart Mining District for a fifty-year period beginning in July 1881. Remnants of the first claim, the Queen of the Hills mine, are located just a few hundred yards north of where you are standing. During the peak of silver mining here (late 1800s and early 1900s), the Silver Dyke Mine was one of the world's largest producers of silver ore.
J. L. Neihart helped discover the district and soon founded the town bearing his name. In 1891, the Belt Mountain branch of the Great Northern Railroad was constructed, connecting Neihart to the Anaconda Company smelter at Great Falls. The line remained in operation until 1945.
Neihart had a fire department, electric company, water company, school, several churches, a mining union, three hotels, fraternal lodges, the Belt Mountain Hospital and two newspapers. At one time, Neihart had fourteen saloons in one block, all of them located on the same side of the street. Respectable stores were located on the opposite side, and ladies never crossed over.
other picture captions:
· Neihart Circa 1900.
· The Barker Mining Company, Neihart, Circa 1900.
· Neihart celebrated Miners Day Parade July 13, 1892. Miners received wages of $3.50 per day for a total annual payroll of $250,000.
· Office of the Silver
Horn Mining Company, Neihart, Circa 1892.
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