On the lawn in front of the museum/visitor centre/depot is this little ore car, doubtless a relic from one of the many mines which operated in the area in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Though gold was the greatest attraction bringing miners to the area, silver/lead mines were also opened near Troy. The majority of mining activity had ceased by the onset of the "Great Depression" of the '30s. Running on tracks about two feet apart these cars were connected in long trains and, generally, gravity did the job of hauling the cars and their loads of ore down to a concentrator or a shipping point. Steam powered winches reeling in cables were one method of carrying out the return trip. Small steam or even compressed air powered locomotives sometimes accomplished the task.
Near the south end of town at Callahan Creek, the museum is housed in Troy's one time Great Northern Railway depot. Among other things, one will find a rock drill, a walk behind, horse drawn cultivator, an old Farmall tractor, a Great Northern caboose and other artefacts scattered about. The building itself was moved onto the museum property some time after it ceased to be used as a railway depot by the Great Northern.
Arrayed around the building are several historical markers, giving the visitor a glimpse into a bit of the history of Troy and of the fauna of the area.
Unfortunately, when we visited the museum was not yet open, so we can't tell you of the marvels within the old depot. That will have to wait until another day.
Troy Museum
The Troy Museum and Visitors’ Center, conveniently located on Highway 2 as you enter Troy from the east, is a volunteer-run attraction featuring all Troy-related historical items. It is also home to the FOLF (frisbee golf) course, public restrooms, public posting area, picnic tables, and parking area. The wooden sign in front of the museum was carved entirely by chain saw by Dave Clarke of Eureka, MT
From the Troy Museum