Philipsburg Mt & sapphire mining

Philipsburg is another old and new town in Montana. It has the largest sapphire mines in the Americas. These are some of the neat buildings still standing. Some are occupied some not.
This was a carved bench setting in front of one of the shops. It was carved from a tree root.
old building still in use.
Old church still in use.

Mari and I are hunting for sapphires in our pale of dirt and stones.
As you can see we found several. Then you have them graded and the best ones you have fired to bring out the true color. If you want you can then have them cut and set. I am waiting for mine to come back from the firing to see what colors they actually are.
Bil found another safe and is trying to get it open. But having sat on this street corner for several years I am sure all it holds is dust.
Neat story about a local person and the sculpture depicting the run.
As you can see he is in front with an Indian right on his heels.
This was a waterfall in the back country we ran across on our way back from the town outing.
The photos do not do it justice.