Museums 101: Saddles and Boots in Nevada City (Photo Diary)

by Ojibwa for Shutterbugs

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Monday, Oct. 08, 2018 Monday, Oct. 08, 2018 at 8:30:06am PDT

In 1863, placer gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in Montana and the rush to find the mother lode began. Nevada City and Virginia City soon became boom towns. Between 1945 and 1978 Nevada City was restored as a living historical museum which includes over 100 buildings, most of which were moved to this site from other Montana locations and restored. Included in this museum is Sullivan’s Saddlery and a display of boots and shoes.

Sullivan’s Saddlery

This building was originally built in 1847 and in 1863 it served as the Indian Agency in Fort Benton. In 1865, a treaty with the Blackfoot was signed in the building. In 1881, Sullivan & Goss set up their saddlery in the building. The saddlery supplied saddles to Montanans until 1926. It was moved first to Great Falls to become a part of the Old Town display and then, in 1959, to Nevada City.