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The Montana Freemason is an official publication of About the Cover
the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
of Montana and is provided by the Montana Masonic These altar jewels were used by the Helena area
Foundation, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, articles in this Lodges until March 1998, when they were placed on
publication express only the private opinion or assertion long term loan to the Montana Masonic Museum. The
of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official jewels were handcrafted from precious metals mined
position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only in the Helena area from the following mining sites:
through the Grand Master and the Executive Board when
attested to as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary.

The Editorial staff invites contributions in the form
of informative articles, reports, news and other timely
information (of about 350 to 1000 words in length) that
broadly relate to general Masonry. Submissions must be
typed or preferably provided in MS Word format, and all
photographs or images sent as a .JPG file. Only original or
digital photographs or graphics that support the submission
are accepted.

All material is copyrighted and is the property of the
Grand Lodge of Montana and the authors. Subscription
- the Montana Freemason Magazine is provided to all
members of the Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Montana.
© 2012 Montana Masonic Foundation, Inc. All rights
reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed,
modified or distributed without the express prior written
permission of the copyright holder.

When reprinted, articles should note:“Reprinted with
permission of The Montana Freemason Magazine.

Gold: Radersburg and Jackson Creek

Silver: Elkhorn, Mont Red Works and the
Drumlummon.

Please direct all articles and correspondence to: Montana has a rich mining history,and has produced
Reid Gardiner, Editor 17,752,000 ounces of gold and it is ranked seventh
The Montana Freemason Magazine among the gold producing states by the US Geological
PO Box 1158 Survey. Montana is historically the second-greatest
Helena, MT 59624-1158
(406) 442-7774 source of silver in the United States most of it
mtglsec@grandlodgemontana.org coming from Butte. Mining began in Montana in the
Articles submitted should be typed, double spaced
and spell checked. Articles are subject to editing and 1850s, when traders for the Hudson’s Bay Company
Peer Review. No compensation is permitted for any discovered gold near present-day Deer Lodge. Little
article or photographs, or other materials submitted came of these early diggings but the territory continued
for publication. All photographs must be identified
as to who took the photo and the names of the to attract hopefuls and the first big strike took place
individuals who may appear in the photo. E-mail all near Bannack in 1862. In the next two years, gold was
photos and articles to the address above. discovered at Virginia City and Last Chance Gulch

in the heart of present day Helena. Followed by the
claim on the Drumlummon mine which gave birth to

the town of Marysville and one of the first rich mines

in Montana. West of Toston, on the east side of the
Elkhorn Mountains is the Radersburg district which

included placer gold found at the Keating Mine, Johnny
Gulch, Golden Sunlight mine, Confederate Gulch and
the Radersburg lode mine.

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