Uniquely Montana: Mountain ghost town Pony has rich history

Had the town been named in another era or another place, perhaps maps today would refer Tecumseh or Smith in the Tobacco Root Mountains of southern Montana.

But instead, settlers in the 1860s named their gold rush town Pony after early miner Tecumseh Smith’s nickname. He was so called for his small stature, said to be less than 5 feet.

The town, located in a beautiful mountain valley 55 miles west of Bozeman, reached a peak population of 5,000 people before the mines played out. Before they did, $5 million in ore would be extracted. Now Pony is officially designated a ghost town, though about 120 people still call the town and surrounding area home.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20121007/LIFESTYLE/310070037/Uniquely-Montana-Mountain-ghost-town-Pony-has-rich-history