Louisville

Louisville is a ghost town in Jefferson County, Montana, with roots in a late-1800s mining camp. After the site's original founders departed, it was taken over and inhabited by Chinese-American immigrants, giving the settlement a distinctive and layered cultural history.

In 2008, the University of Montana conducted an archaeological dig at the site, uncovering a range of artifacts tied to its Chinese-American community. That excavation is the most documented chapter of Louisville's story and speaks to the significance of the site beyond a typical abandoned camp.

Visitors today will find a historically evocative but likely sparse landscape — remnants and traces rather than standing structures. The site rewards those with an interest in frontier history and the often-overlooked role of Chinese-American communities in the rural West. Come prepared for undeveloped conditions, and plan your visit during summer or early fall when access and weather are most cooperative.