BANNACK — The ghost towns of Montana's gold rush era attract thousands of visitors annually. At Bannack and Virginia City, they learn about the clapboard buildings left behind by men and women ...

BANNACK — At the annual October Ghost Walk, long-told stories of spirits shroud the ghost town of Bannack. Vigilantes bestowed violent beginnings. But dig deeper.

Located near Dillon, Montana, Bannack State Park is home to the best preserved ghost town in all of Montana. It's also where first major discovery of gold in Montana took place on July 28, 1862.

Ghost towns are often associated with the Wild West and Texas does have the most ghost towns with 511 abandoned communities. California follows with 346, and Kansas with 308. Click on map.

Oct. 15, 2012 -- intro: Almost every major city has at least one "ghost tour" these days, and some of them are truly top-notch. But for a more up-close-and-personal spooky experience, put a ghost ...

KIM BRIGGEMAN / Photographed by KURT WILSON of the Missoulian Jun 4, 2009 Jun 4, 2009 0 Ghost town treasures - Volunteers help resurrect artifacts from Bannack’s past KIM BRIGGEMAN ...