This was so well done. I can't thank you enough for SLOWLY going through it and allowing all the detail to come forth. I thought Bodie had no 'competitors' as most ghost towns are merely concrete foundations and piles of splintered timbers anymore. This isn't nearly the size of Bodie but it's nice to know there's at least another authentic ghost TOWN in existence without any modern trappings. I would strongly impress upon the owner to be absolutely vigilant about security, keeping out vandals and opportunists at all costs. This place is exceptionally rare and impressive. And again, very nice work Dave!
Steve, many thanks for watching and for your extensive comment. A few of these gems are scattered around Montana since extracting precious metals was a main-stay. When the metals ran out, so did the population. I'm a woodworker and the wood textures that Mother Nature helps create is fabulous. It is almost reverent walking through these sites knowing that people lived, worked and played among these ruins. I am in agreement with you that preservation (even arrested decay) should be the focus. Thanks again for your comments! Dave in western Montana.
I would love to own this ghost town. I would restore the same decrepit buildings and build a better road way so long as I get it historically free (Montana)
I too have subscribed to your channel. This is so compelling. When music goes so well with a video, it's awesome. When it doesn't, I can't abide the video for long.
Susie, many thanks for watching my video, subscribing to my channel, and especially for the kind words! I spend a lot of time trying to match music to my videos since I rarely narrate. Sometimes the music works, sometimes not. I feel the audio helps set the stage for what the visuals are conveying. It is this combination that helps me tell a story without words. Many thanks again and have a great summer! Dave in Montana.
Beautiful old town.And a small peace of American history.It makes one wonder whom lived their what their lives were like. what they did on a day to day bases . The memories they made and left behind the lives they led. we as people can learn a lot by looking at this town and the history and the memories they left behind. Great video and music i as a person who loves history enjoy all the videos. Thank you so much... Faye
Faye, thanks for watching my video and taking time to comment. One can only imagine what it was like to live and work in a mining town at the turn of the century. I know life was a lot simpler back then, but it was hard work and harsh living conditions. Thanks again for your kind words! Dave.
Whenever I watch a video of a ghost town, I can't help but think about the people who lived there. They had hard lives. They tried to make it work. Some gave their lives to it's existence. In the end, nature won. In the end, their best efforts failed. In the end, the survivors moved away. As we look upon these ruins let's remember the people who lived and died there.
When I film a ghost town I have the same feeling, almost reverent. I am walking in the footsteps of families that spent part of their lives living and working in unimageable conditions. I truly respect those who built, lived and sometimes died in their line of work. This is why I try to capture the small, every-day items of their toil; from their building techniques to the rusty nails and hinges they used. Everything was touched by human hand for the betterment of their families. A Simple Odyssey, many thanks for your comments. I share your feelings and it puts my ghost town videos in perspective. Dave.
yeah, from maybe May to August then you might want to think about moving South a thousand miles where the temp's stay above zero during the rest of the year...............
Thank you for visiting my channel! If these walls could only talk! I love to capture ghost towns and then let my imagination run wild! Thanks again and enjoy our great outdoors! Dave in Missoula.
Claydee, thanks for sharing some of your experiences at Comet. I am so pleased my video has sparked great memories for you. Unfortunately the mines played out and everyone moved on. This scenario has played out time and time again. It is comforting to me that you have a connection to Comet. It makes the area extra special to me knowing that you benefited from my explorations. Thanks again! Dave in Missoula.
sadp28 Yes, with kids running through the streets playing, Mom in the kitchen and Dad at work in the mine or mill. Typical close-knit mining community. Thanks for commenting! Dave.
Thank you for this great film. My paternal g/f worked at the mill in Comet. I understand from my g/mother they lived in Boulder and he stayed there during the week. He developed lung disease (probably combination of mill work and smoking) and passed away in 1942 at age 52. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful film.
+Todd Anderson Some of the tax lots were sold years ago. A friend and his brother owned a few. someone lives there now in the manufactured home you can just barely see toward the end of the video.
I got drunk one night and slept in one of those buildings in 1976. Not sure which one now, but old curtains were flopping in the breeze, and there was a dog somewhere that barked all damn night. I woke up at Sunrise and a sheriff had just pulled up and told me to get out or be arrested for trespassing. So I got in my old 66 Chevy Impala and headed for Phoenix AZ. What a rogue I was in those days.
Thanks you for the kind words. I appreciate comments like yours. It makes the extra hours of editing worth the effort! I like to incorporate the look/feel of textures in my videos and also spend a lot of time matching the right music (since I am no good at narration!) Thanks again for your comments! Dave.
Great job on the beginning of this beautiful spiraling take. I see they let it die a natural ending, which shows proof of humanity but then this is my opinion. Thanks for sharing and bless you for this awesome job...
I just hit the thumbs up button and the number is 666 ...as if we need more Omens today... This Corona outbreak is a wicked thingvfolks pls be careful look over your Love ones this is real ..over 60 an hour are passing away in Italy now..we in America have not reached the top of its wrath on us yet..LORD HELP US ALL 🇺🇸
Thanks for commenting. This sequence was captured with my first drone. I am now on my third drone that has a Hasselblad camera and its video is a bit smoother. The beginning of this Charter Mill video was captured with the newest drone: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_9aMjCnhU-k.html Thanks again for your comment. Dave.
What a amazing and beautiful video this is. You did an excellent job on catching the beauty and history of this old ghost town. One can only imagine what it would of been like to live there in it's time. I've just subscribed to your channel. Thank you for sharing your findings.
+Veronica Morgan Veronica, many thanks for the kind words and subscribing to my channel. As you can see, I love to capture, edit and share my experiences with others. I am pleased you found this video to your liking. It makes all the extra effort worthwhile. Thanks again for your comments. Dave in Montana.
From the way the town was laid out, it might have been a mining town. The ore played out and the people picked up and left to the four winds. Maybe, the late 40’s or early 50’s.
You are correct, it was a mining town. Ores produced included lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold. Comet was abandoned in 1941 and the tailings were stabilized in 1997. You sure know your mining towns! Thanks for visiting my video and for your comments. Dave.
The music only videos, are just as uninformative as the ones where people race around, whipping the camera back and forth, sticking their own mug in the frame, not really talking about what they see, or the history of the place...
There is so much detailed information on the internet about the places I explore. I choose not to narrate my videos to let your imagination place you into this time period when life was a lot more simple. Music helps with this process a lot better than me gabbing about bits of history that may be incomplete or not accurate. I do thank you for watching and commenting. Dave.
Excellent presentation ! I was born and raised in Helena and I worked as an engineer for Mountain Bell until I was 30 years old. I was very fortunate to be able to get off the beaten path in my job as we built the new infrastructure in the 1980's around Helena, Wolf Creek, Canyon Ferry, Bozeman , Belgrade , Livingston etc. I was laid off in 1986 after the project was finished and went back East and worked for Bell Atlantic/Verizon and retired last year after 30 years. I came back to Montana and built a new home last year and I am also looking to buy a small ranch . I love Montana and I missed it dearly . Thanks again .
Awesome No Name! You know the area well. It must have been exceptionally rewarding to work in the field like you said, "off the beaten path". One needs to get off the highways and interstates to see the real beauty of our state. Thanks for sharing your experiences and welcome back to the state you love. I appreciate your comments. Dave in Missoula.
You have no idea how much I enjoyed your masterpiece! It truly is a gorgeous work of technical, artistic and soulful excellence! Watching RU-vids of random Montana's natural, historical, and other wonders is one of my guilty pleasures when I'm feeling homesick and missing being able to be somewhere beautiful and peaceful, stumbling across an amazing tree, or an old car part with my dogs in a short time. So I've watched a lot of good and not so technically good vids and enjoy them all. But this...!!! I feel like I just had a very beautiful trip to a gorgeous and amazing place! Surprised I'd never even heard of Comet, and now glad, but sad it's not being protected. So thank you so so so much for capturing it as you did!
Chien, many thanks for your wonderful comments on my video. It really means a lot to me. I love to capture, edit and share my experiences. It is because of comments like yours that I spend so many extra hours in front of the computer editing my finds. I capture three to four times more video than I actually use to be sure I capture the essence of these sites. It really is quite reverent walking around these ruins knowing that people lived, worked, entertained and raised families there. Unfortunately, some of these towns are slowly fading away. I am thankful I can capture and share this snap-shot of time. Many thanks again for viewing and commenting. Dave in Montana.
My wife and I have traveled thru a great deal of the west and found many old ghost towns and abandoned farm steads. The history is nice to know, but I look at an old farm house that is falling down and have to remind myself that there was a day it was new and someone slept there for the very first time. I wonder how many people lived there and perhaps died there. How many kids grew up there and raised their families there. If that old building could talk......
Arnold, well said! As I am exploring and filming these sites I always have a feeling of respect, almost reverent, since I know families lived there through good times and not so good times. We can only imagine what it was like. Thanks for watching and especially for your comment. Dave.
I am sure it has been destroyed by now, but can you imagine a nice old restaurant in one of the old buildings restored? I love these old towns and they are getting few and far between. If anyone knows anything about this place and who owns it, please let me know. jim@vastbb.net
Jim, thanks for asking. This is why I love to capture and share ghost towns since Mother Nature is helping them disappear all together. Comet is in private ownership but I do not know the owner. Thanks for viewing. Dave.
Not only is it a beautiful place that I would love to buy a piece of, but the wood and brick that could be reused. You can get all the power to live off the grid. And these water. I'm so in love.
Shirleen, thanks for commenting. I love old, weathered wood. It is so unique. This is why I try to include close-up views to show textures. Comet is now a quiet corner of Montana history. Dave.
Joel, yes, simple times but lots of hard work in these mining communities. Too bad Comet wasn't preserved or at least stabilized before the decay. Mother nature is working hard to reclaim what is hers. Thanks for commenting. Dave.
Karen G Welcome to Montana! Thanks for viewing and asking. Yes, this ghost town is accessible by car. It is on private land but you can drive right in and explore. Happy trails! Dave in Missoula.
Ted, I agree with you. I wish more sites could be preserved, even in a state of arrested decay. Without preservation these historical sites are reduced to piles of wood due to vandalism and mother nature (snow loads, fires, etc). Thanks for visiting my video and commenting. I appreciate it. Dave.
this was a hard life for them, but just look at the beauty that they seen. Such a quite way to live compare to life today. i myself love the country. this was good times.
If it wasn't the fact that there was no more work in a town the other reason a town was abandoned is bigger cities and technology came around. People just didn't want to live in those conditions any more.
We all like our creature comforts, don't we! The same thing happened with small farms; technology paved the way for huge farms and everyone else just moved to the big city! Thanks for your comment and insight Michael. Dave.
Beautiful..I bet the last settler(s) that left had to be sad. There was a lot of sweat, tears, hardships and love in time that people were together and depended upon each other
Karen, you are right in your assumption. Most people left these mining areas when the minerals were depleted and they were forced to move to areas that had still had minerals to extract. I think the family unit was strong back then although many miners were single men seeking their fortune. Most did not find their pot of gold! Thanks for commenting. Dave.
Thank you. Absolutely beautiful! I often wish that I could have lived in those simpler times. I realize of course that those "simpler" days must have also been extremely difficult. Great video, awesome music. Subscribed, Sir.
One always wishes for a simpler time, a time for strong family values. I know hardships existed, as it does nowadays but at a different level. Thanks for watching, commenting and subscribing! I appreciate it! Dave.
Scoots, I really appreciate your comments! It makes the tedious editing effort all worth while. I am pleased that you enjoyed my video as much as I did during capture and editing, two hobbies that I enjoy spending extra time on. Thanks again! Dave.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I do not make documentaries but instead, I make videos that allow you to leisurely visit some of these sites while thinking about the hardships the people might have encountered. My voice-over would only distract the calmness I am creating. So much written history is available on the internet for those who want more information. I write a few informative paragraphs in the description that accompanies each video. Again, thanks for watching. Dave. "The Comet Mine, between Helena and Butte Montana, was discovered in 1874. The town of Comet was platted and surveyed in 1876. Comet was home to over 300 residents and the town included businesses, 22 saloons, a post office, homes, a school for 20 children, and the Dailey Hotel. A new owner built the processing plant in 1926 that you see today. The new operation employed 100 men and continued until 1941 when the mine was exhausted, and operations permanently stopped. The mine produced $20 million in ore (in 1941 dollars!) that included lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold. Today the area is a ghost town with one resident. A couple dozen structures remain behind in various states of decay. Unfortunately, this area has not been set aside for protection or preservation and may be ravaged by forest fires and possibly more vandalism. This video shows the remnants of Comet and its mill in July 2014."
@@davidegg22 Thank you for the reply I will be looking up more as well trying to figure about a large building that is next to a falling down log cabin. The roof is down on the floor but there is a basement underneath just wonder what the big building and basement was used for. Thank you so in the olden days a tip of the 🎩to you your video great history
I use to live in North Idaho I've gone to montana but I don't think I've Ben to this part of montana I miss it there it's one of the most spectacular parts of the country just beautiful and very open montana is a great place to explore and just get lost and so is Idaho great video. The inland northwest is a great place to be. I like the way everything comes together and the colors great job.
Jerry, many thanks for the comments. I really appreciate. I am hoping to capture more ghost towns this summer. I just purchased a popup pickup camper so I can travel further from home without needing to drive back each night. Comet was a great ghost town; no one but the ghosts were there the day I captured these scenes. It was also one of my first drone videos shot with a DJI Phantom 1. Most recent videos were shot with a Phantom 3. This winter I upgraded to a Mavic2 Pro with a Hasselblad camera. I also picked up a 360 camera that I put on the drone. The jury is still out on that combination! Might just need to stick with the Hasselblad to keep the quality high. I do miss Ted and his ultra detailed emails about my videos. I think I saved all of them. Thanks again for your comments and hope spring is close! Later. Dave.
+Ward Wenholz Ward, thanks for viewing and commenting. As you can see, I am enjoying retirement to the fullest! I love history, ghost towns, DIY projects, a little travel, video capture, R/C aerial video, computer editing, etc. The list goes on! Too many interests, not enough time! We just need to enjoy each day! Thanks again for your comment! Dave.
My life was like this town since was born im one of dan harveys grandchildren he just puts a number on you and you suffer on his farm for the world to see its like a cult the whole world knows about im one of the family of the f ed up west epping land hoarders
Beautiful video and editing. The music is a perfect accompaniment. I'm a new subscriber and look forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you for sharing!
Robert, many thanks for all the kind words! I love to capture, edit and share my experiences. Your comment makes the extra effort all worthwhile. I am pleased you liked this video. Thanks again for your comments. Dave.
I didn't find the graveyard, then again, I guess I didn't look for it either! I spent four hours exploring the town filming 1.5 hours of video. No one around but me and the unknowns! Thanks for viewing! Dave.
+FRANK Alonso Frank, many thanks for your comments. I really appreciate it. It is great to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors! Thanks again! Dave in Montana.
The town looks to be one square mile in size. I'm not understanding the need for 22 saloons. Was there a church? The human condition follows us. I pray they knew Jesus.
Hi Dave, l am from England and have just spent Saturday evening watching your amazing videos thank you. I too imagine what it must have been like in its heyday. l will subscribe to your channel. Thanks again from across the pnd
Sally-Ann, many thanks for watching and subscribing to my channel. I love to capture, edit and share video of scenes that interest me. I am glad that some of them interest you also. I still find it amazing that people from around the world can view and interact as if you were my neighbor. I guess you are in a broad sense. Thanks again for taking the time to comment! I hope my channel does not disappoint you. Dave in Montana.
This is 3 yrs ago post today the Corona is running ramped across America and our other neighbors world wide.. How we all wish to go back in simpler times.. Mostly today this is my 8th day of retreat before the president announce it I was 4 days into it already..young lady next door has flu like symptoms Praying for humanity not just here in the states world wide..GOD HAVE MERCY ON OUR SOULS.. THIS IS CLAIMING LIVES. IN VAST NUMBERS...BE SAFE
That was probably one sweet little Homestead back in the 1850's when it was up and thriving. Was the mill a wood planning mill? Funny though, there's no remnants of a church.
The Mill at Comet produced lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold that were extracted from underground mines. I did not find a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Comet but did find a map of Wickes, about four miles NE of Comet. The1892 map shows two churches in Wickes with a population of 800. Thanks for watching my video and commenting. Dave.
Two thumbs up! Prospector Dean here. My family explored this mine about the same year you shot this video, maybe the year before. WELL WORTH the visit! Lots to see, although the whole site has been heavily looted, decaying structures are still interesting. Wish there was more equipment left in the mill....
I'm from Clancy/Jackson Creek, but never visited Comet. My father's mother was born in Elkhorn, also near Boulder. Really enjoyed this video, including the landscapes. Like going home.
Roberto, many thanks for watching and sharing some of your family history. I am pleased you liked this video. This is a unique area of Montana and it is awesome to explore. Thanks again! Dave in Missoula.
What once was bustle and life and kin, Stands in sun and gentle wind. Spinning tales into the air, of times when all was active there. And now its aura in quiet still, alive & empty, there but nil.
I just lost my house to a fire before Christmas. I would not mind making one of these houses a home for my Siberian Husky named (Nicodemus) and I. Funding unfortunately would be a problem. It's really sad to see such beauty and how someone like myself would just treasure such a jam.😢
Gina Notaro Gina, I am so sorry to hear that you lost your home. What a traumatic experience for you. Life gives us setbacks that we can overcome. It takes time, persistence and a “can-do” attitude to get through these challenges. It sounds like you are the type of person who can rebuild your life. I respect that. A bumpy road indeed but it will smooth out, one day at a time. Thanks for your comment and do take care. Dave.
THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL VIDEO. I LIVED IN DENVER IN 1966 THRU 1969 . I VISITED 10 CUP IN MY NEW 1964 IMPALA AND THE ROAD WAS CRAZY UP TO THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. THIS SHOWS HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS AREA IS. IF I WERE YOUNGER I WOULD MOVE THERE AND BUILD A SELF SUSTAINING SOLAR LOG CABIN. DON GRIM
Don, many thanks for watching and commenting. The pass you spoke of is over 10,000 feet above sea level! Amazing your Impala made it up! What a coincidence, in 1970 I purchased my own '64 Chev Impala 2dr hardtop! I loved that car! I am pleased this video sparked good memories for you. Thanks again and take care! Dave.
This is wonderful. Are there many sage grouse nearby. In Alberta in the se much oil and gas activity has been shut down to protect this bird. Old graineries and buildings are being removed to discourage owls.
Rick, since Comet sits on the western edge of the Montana sage grouse habitat, I would probably answer your question as yes. These are western icons and protection is needed. Thanks for your comments. Dave.
Andrea, I am pleased Cathy recommended my channel to you. Thanks for subscribing and I hope you enjoy other videos on the channel. Many thanks again! Dave.
I just visited this town last year and it was amazing! Did you see the old train tunnel near Wickes? Also, what type of drone do you use for shooting these videos?
Tate, I know of the tunnel but have not seen it myself. Next trip over I will go through it if it isn’t full of water. This video was captured with a DJI Phantom 1 drone. Other videos were captured with a Phantom 3 and my current DJI, a Mavic 2 Pro with a Hasselblad camera. Thanks for watching and asking. Dave.
Ray, I never found the actual mine site. It may have been erased from existence. This from Wikipedia: "In 1997 a reclamation project was begun to alleviate pollution caused by toxic metal leachage from the tailings. This project was completed in June of the following year and consisted of moving the tailings into a single pile south of the processing building which was then fenced off and planted. The project, which was overseen by the Mine Waste Cleanup Bureau of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, was judged to be successful. In 2006 the department received a National Award from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining in recognition of the work done for this project." Thanks for asking. Dave.
I would live there right now! I'd build a rustic time period looking cabin where it would more or less blend in with the surrounding, only my place would have solar power for electrical power, wind-generated power, snow and rain capture systems for water, a septic system for waste, and butane + wood chip stove/heater/ for keeping out the damp and cold. Imagine the quiet and peacefulness of this area. Give it time - and this area will be bought and developed for Mega-Log Cabin Mansions for the rich and famous.
Suzie Paris Greetings from Missoula! I am pleased you enjoyed some of my videos. I love to explore, capture, edit and share my experiences. I feel fortunate to have the tools and the time to capture some of these images. Some of these treasures are being reclaimed by Mother Nature (and vandals). Others have been stabilized and preserved for future generations. Thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting. I truly appreciate it. Dave.
Wow! Thank you for posting such beautiful videos! I am a fellow historical enthusiast, and would love to spend a year exploring Montana's greatest treasures. Thank u for (sorta) making that dream a reality! ☺
No, thank YOU for subscribing, viewing some of my videos and commenting. Montana has a lot to offer a videographer and I am fortunate to live in the "Last Best Place". Thanks again! Dave.
When I see videos like this, I always can't help but wonder what my own town or neighborhood would look like if it were to become abandoned. How long would it take for decay and neglect to set in or before anything practically became unrecognizable!
I think you are right. I believe most families lived in Wickes about four miles away. Wickes had about 800 people and the town supported two churches and a school. Comet supported the mine and mill and had housing for 300 including "entertainment" for the off-shift miners. Thanks for your comments! Dave.
@@andrewhammel5714 The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of the time define those buildings as "Female Boarding" houses. A staple as popular as the 22 bars were for the 300 miners!
Yes, Mother Nature is slowly dis-assembling these buildings. It will not stand forever without stabilization efforts. This video was captured in 2014, only two years after your visit. By the looks of the staircase, stabilization should have started decades ago! Thanks for commenting! Dave.
When I lived in Butte, my I would ride my mountain bike up to the dirt road, and I think it was like 11 miles uphill to comet. Then, I would ride as far as I could up ro the top of the old road. There is a meadow at the top that overlooked some other cabins. Definitely beautiful
