“Older chests reveal themselves
Like a crack in the wall
They start so small
And they grow in time.”
~Damien Rice, American Musician
During the great gold rush of the mid 1800’s, entire towns emerged almost overnight. Pouring in from the four corners of the U.S., adventurers, explorers, speculators, and even the down-and-outers came to grab their piece of the American dream. But when something seems to good to be true, it usually is. And, as quickly as they came, gold rush towns disappeared just as fast–leaving behind only modest and haunting reminders of the heartbreak that accompanied what was one of the most intriguing periods of American history.
In dimly-lit, musty cabins throughout the northwest, traces of the great gold rush still exist today–especially in Montana. Preserved for the benefit of future generations, it is remarkable to note the artifacts that were abandoned by their owners. In a cruel and stark irony, most people initially came with few personal possessions–mainly just clothes and tools. Judging by the items that were left behind–especially the steamer trunks–it appears that they left with even less.
What do you think?