Flint Creek Mining Co. - Coin Vignettes - circa 1890's Unissued Montana Stock Certificate

Unissued Stock. Attached stub at left. “Morgan Dollar” coins at top. Out of Butte, Montana.

The Flint Creek Mining District, nestled in Granite County, Montana, rose to prominence as a leading silver and gold producer during the late 19th century. The region’s surge in prosperity was catalyzed by the 1872 discovery of the Granite Mountain mine, which became one of the most productive silver mines in the United States. By 1892, it had yielded an impressive $20 million in ore. To support these colossal operations, the Montana Water, Electric Power & Mining Company constructed a dam and power plant on Flint Creek in the late 1890s. This electrification enabled the electrification of local mines and mills, establishing a critical infrastructure that endured beyond the initial silver rush.

As the early 20th century dawned, the district underwent a transformation, transitioning from its silver-centric dominance to broader industrial mining. The depletion of primary veins and fluctuating silver prices marked this shift. While operations like the Flint Creek Mine (also known as the Alliance Mine) continued underground gold and silver production until approximately 1906, other sites shifted their focus to manganese and phosphate deposits. Today, the legacy of the Flint Creek Mining Company and its contemporaries is preserved at the Granite Ghost Town State Park. Here, the remains of the Union Hall and superintendent’s house stand as poignant monuments to Montana’s “Silver Queen City” era.