The Wickes Train Tunnel

Though very little physical evidence remains of the once booming town of Wickes, one structure has remained largely unchanged: a train tunnel cutting through the base of a mountain and connecting the small North County communities with those in the south.

The Wickes train tunnel — known as tunnel number six during its operation days — was drilled in 1888 by the Montana Central Railroad company. The company was later known as the Great Northern Railroad and then Burlington Northern.

Work to construct the tunnel began on both sides of the mountain in May of 1887, with crews working towards each other to meet in the middle, according to the Jefferson County Museum.