Big Sky Country

Statehood:
November 8, 1889
(41st)

Motto:
Gold and Silver

Under the word "Montana", on a blue field, is the state seal. The seal shows some of Montana's beautiful scenery and tells what people were doing in pioneer times. The pick, shovel and plow represent mining and farming. In the background a sun rises over mountains, forests and the Great Falls of the Missouri river. A ribbon contains the state motto "Gold and Silver". Flag adopted 1905 amended 1981.

 

Coloma, Missoula, Montana

Coordinates: 46°50'35"N 113°22'50"W
Established: 1893
Abandoned: 1930s
Elevation: 5,928 ft (1,807 m)

Coloma is located in the area of the Garnet Range in Missoula County, Montana. Not much is known about the settlement, which appears to have been founded in 1893. Records of the period indicate high gold mining activity from 1896 onwards, with an estimated $200,000 to $250,000 in gold being extracted. 1916 saw additional activity when a mill was built on the site and additional surveys on the ore veins were conducted, apparently without success. Additional prospecting activity occurred between 1932 and 1950.

As of 2009, the site was under archeological study by Dr. Kelly Dixon and a group of graduate students from the University of Montana.