Montana, The Treasure State
by Sandra Merville Hart Montana’s nickname is The Treasure State for its rich mineral reserves, including the nation’s most valuable gemstone, sapphire. The early history of Montana The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 opened up Montana to explorers who drew maps of the land. Fur-trading companies traveled to Montana and built a trading post on the Bighorn River. Montana became the Montana Territory in 1864, which meant citizens elected their legislature. Discovery of gold Prospectors traveled to Montana at the discovery of gold in 1862. Bannack City (originally Bannack) was the first boomtown established that same year. Miners and prospectors came at every rumor of gold. Quickly built towns prospered until all the gold had been mined. Most miners left boomtowns...
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