History
Kendall, Montana, began its existence around 1901, though placer and lode gold discoveries in the North Moccasin Mountains date back to the early 1880s. The town's genesis was spurred by Harry Kendall, who in 1899, pioneered the use of the new cyanide gold recovery process on low-grade ore. His initial success led to the sale of his operation and the subsequent development of larger mills and underground mines by new owners, including the Barnes-King Company. This period, lasting approximately 20 years, saw the production of about 500,000 ounces of gold, making Kendall Montana's richest gold mining town during its peak and one of the world's most prosperous.
The town rapidly expanded between 1901 and 1910, reaching a peak population of around 1,500. It boasted a vibrant business district with hotels, restaurants, shops, an opera house, and even a hospital. Stone buildings, constructed from a nearby quarry, gave the town a sense of permanence. Notably, Kendall and its mines were equipped with electrical power, a rarity in Montana at the time, supplied by a power plant five miles away on Warm Spring Creek.
The decline of Kendall began around 1912 as the rich gold ore reserves started to deplete. Contributing factors included fires that damaged the business district between 1908 and 1910, and the construction of a new railroad branch line to the nearby town of Hilger in 1911. Many businesses and residents relocated to Hilger, sometimes even moving their homes. The final blow came with the closing of the Barnes-King mine in 1921, effectively ending Kendall's era as a thriving mining town. Although there were later attempts to revive mining in the area, including a surface and cyanide heap leach operation from the mid-1980s to 1996 that produced another 350,000 ounces of gold, the town itself remained a ghost.
Today, the Kendall townsite is largely a collection of gaunt stone ruins and foundations. In 1967, the townsite was donated to the Boy Scouts, who have a nearby camp and have contributed to preserving the site. Reclamation efforts are still underway from the later mining operations. The cemetery, established around 1903, is located on a hill about a third of a mile east of what was once the main street of the ghost town. Reports from 1978 indicated over 100 burials.
Landscape and markers
The cemetery is a physical record of the harshness of the frontier. The dates carved into the markers tell a story of brief booms and sudden collapses, of winters that took the young and mining accidents that took the strong. To walk among these graves is to feel the immense weight of the past pressing down on the present landscape.
Who is buried here
The stones here tell the story of the settlement. J. Harry Bussey (1894-1909) - Struck by Lightning Elizabeth Roberta D'Autremont (March 28, 1910 - November 10, 1910) Louis Edward D'Autremont (September 18, 1878 - November 18, 1910) William M. Fitzgerald (December 23, 1905 - January 27, 1909) "Baby" McKay (January 29, 1910 - March 1, 1910) Jennie N. McKay (October 12, 1905 - February 27, 1905) Robert Mungall (August 26, 1859 - July 19, 1910) Henry Nerbovig (July 28, 1878 - May 5, 1907) Earl Francis Preston (March 29, 1909 - September 3, 1909) - s/o Dollie Elmer Stanford Tarling (July 3, 1906 - January 19, 1907) Demographic Patterns: Burial records indicate a significant number of infant and child deaths, as seen with Elizabeth Roberta D'Autremont, William M. Fitzgerald, "Baby" McKay, Jennie N. McKay, Earl Francis Preston, and Elmer Stanford Tarling. This suggests a common pattern in early 20th-century pioneer cemeteries, often due to limited medical care and harsh living conditions. The presence of individuals like J. Harry Bussey, who died after being struck by lightning, and Robert Mungall, a miner, also reflects the dangers and demographics of a mining town. The local memorial records entry mentions 37 memorial records, with 41% photographed and 24% with GPS coordinates, indicating that while not all burials are documented, there is a consistent effort to record those that are identifiable.
Visiting
Kendall ghost town is located in the North Moccasin Mountains, accessible via the North Kendall Road, which was formerly McKinley Avenue. From Lewistown, travel north on US Hwy 191 for 18 miles, then turn west onto North Kendall Road just before Hilger. The turn is well-marked with a historical sign. The gravel road leading to Kendall is generally in good condition. The townsite is on private property, but visitors are welcome to park on the edge of the road or at a pullout and explore the remnants. Interpretive signs are present at many of the remaining stone foundations, and the tall grass is mowed in places for easier walking. Visitors can expect to see a few stone ruins, foundations, a bandstand, and a boulder used in drilling contests. The site is open for exploration, and dogs are welcome. There are modern additions like picnic tables and concrete fire pits. The nearest town is Hilger, and Lewistown is approximately 18 miles away. No specific hours are mentioned, implying it's accessible during daylight hours. It is important not to take souvenirs from this historic location.