Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Philipsburg, MT
Year Listed: 2006
Located in southwestern Montana between Butte and Missoula, the tiny town of Philipsburg came to life as a silver mining boom town but stayed vital and vibrant by fiercely guarding its colorful history. The town proudly claims the Hope Mill, the first silver mill in Montana, and nearby Granite Mill, the greatest silver producer of all. The town lies at an elevation of 5,280 feet, and is halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. With the Sapphire Mountains on the west, the Flint Range on the east, and the Pintler Mountain Range to the south, visitors have spectacular views wherever they turn. Philipsburg is a unique community with historic buildings painstakingly restored to original beauty. With a history steeped in mining, ranching, and logging, visitors can take a walking tour around town to see many historic treasures, including the state's oldest operating school, jail and opera house. Within the vicinity are real mine shafts and trams, miners’ cabins, old logging sites, and working ranches. Visitors can try prospecting at the Sapphire Gallery or visit the Granite County Museum and Mine Exhibit, home of the Ghost Town Hall of Fame. Philipsburg is also the perfect Rocky Mountain recreation headquarters any time of year. A popular recreation area, Georgetown Lake is 10 miles from Philipsburg and offers a beautiful mountain setting for fishing, boating, biking and camping. In the winter, there’s nearby skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating.
