Video Montana Ghost Town Elkhorn, Montana...The Last Stop Featuring John Bonan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
- The Last Stop: Documentary/Historical Elkhorn, Montana
This video is unrestricted and can be shared to any site.
Just after 2000, John Bonan moved from Los Angeles, California to Elkhorn, Montana, a well know Ghost Town in the state near Boulder, Montana. In Elkhorn, John moved into his family cabin that his grandfather, a miner from Italy, built in 1892. This became his LAST STOP in his life...and this video shows a glimpse of his life until he passed away in 2021. He had left the option open to "be swept off his feet by someone who wants to take him back to Malibu, California." But it never happened. He also said, with a smile, that he planned to live in the town as a ghost when he died.
At one point the log cabin remained unoccupied for nearly 50 years and fell into disrepair. In the 1970s the Bonan family added on to the original structure and remodeled it so it could be occupied. His brother lived there for a period of time and then John moved in and became sort of a self-appointed caretaker of the town. During John's tine in the cabin it was rustic, had no running water, was heated with wood stoves, had an old time outhouse, and was decorated with family memorabilia that was gathered over the decades bye family members. This production focused on John's life in a Ghost Town as a permanent resident, the cabin, the challenges he faced, and his interaction with tourists that came to see the Montana Ghost Town. He loved the area and life he led. John tells about his experiences in the town and even mentions a historical gunfight that occured in the front of Fraternity Hall. The ghosts of the gunfight may remain there today?
John Bonan passed away June 19, 2021 while making a second film but it was never finished. If one listens carefully, he too, may be able to be found somewhere in the town he loved.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
This film was made by Doug Chester, Distant Art Productions in Cornville, Arizona. Doug grew up in Montana, has a Film and Television Degree from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and an Education Degree from Radford University, Radford, Virginia. He first visited the town when he and his brother Jim took a road trip in the 1960's to explore as many Montana Ghost Towns as they could get to in fourteen days. Over the years, Doug has a lot special memories of the town and when he met John in 2006 the two of them became instant friends.
Doug had a career in teaching, communications, and media production, he is retired with his wife in the Sedona, Arizona area. He resumed making flim/television productions as a hobby and produces a number of videos/films each year as a “one person production company.” His work can be seen on You Tube at: Doug Chester Distant Art Videos.
In addition to Film Production, Doug creates original art (Mystic Creations) that is shown and sells in multiple galleries in northern Arizona, and he has a book titled "Play your Marbles Carefully" coming out in the future.
For production information contact Doug Chester at Distantart555@gmail.com
Have an idea for a video? Contact Doug. Distantart555@gmail.com
The Elkhorn Reduction Works Photo, was provided by the Montana Historical Society Research Center Photographic Archives, Helena, Montana.
Film Festival Awards: Madrid Film Festival, Simi Finalist-Best Director and Best Sound Track 2021, and Honorable Mention 2021 UK Seasonal Short Film Festival.
John is a great guy. I have known him for years and worked with him at MDC. He was always a caring person when it came to working with the clients. He is a open, friendly person who cares about all. Glad to see he's still healthy and strong.
This was awesome! Thank you.
What’s MDC?
@@garyfrancis6193 Montana Developmental Center. It was a state institution for people who had developmental and mental health problems with explosive behaviors
I'm so glad to have this piece of John's voice and vision. It was indeed his last stop. John died in mid June 2021. He graced me with his kindness and his gooseberries for several years.
So 😢 sad to hear John passed...
Wish I could have know him!!~*
Such a wonderful video!!~*
Montana my favourite State, greetings from Mexico
Im sitting here knitting and watching The Last Stop Elkhorn Montana.
I enjoyed it so much just listening to Johns story and i hated when it was over, lol so now im going to watch it again.
Listening to John tell his story and the background music, makes me wish i was there with the peace and quiet listening to natures sound. Thank you John
I used to live in Helena, MT, and went up there several times. I remember the little graveyard up there. There were a lot of children's graves in there that had died around the same time, so there had to have been some kind of illness going around. Of the ghost towns I've been to in Montana, this one is my favorite.
I think I heard at one time, diphtheria went thru town and alot of kids passed.
My mind would be reeling every second living in a place like that, thinking about what it used to be like
You get used to it. I lived in Greece among ruins 2000 to 3000 years old. You see them in summer and winter on sunny days and rainy days. Eventually you just walk by as they are always there and will be long after you are gone.
I remember Elkhorn, and the great Halls, I must have been about 11. So, I am guessing 1971. We were on one of the many trips, my parents would take, twice a year, all over the west. If there was history, they would find it. For many years I would remember the Halls, no clue even what state they were in. Now I know, thank you for placing a pin in the map of my memories.
I take my grandchildren up here when they come to visit. We always have a great visit with John.
Rest in Peace John. You were loved by so many and you gave so many people something to remember.
I live about 20 miles from Elkhorn and have yet to make a visit! This spring I think I will change that.
What a cool guy! He made everything about that old abandoned town, fascinating!
His story about the old bird really touched my heart. I bet the people who visit , love a resident historian.
He loves all of the old, rusty relics, and treats them with such tenderness and respect. This was a truly wonderful visit, into his own little oasis, and I appreciate the tour.
My dad took my brother and I one summer to see the old west ghost towns back in the 70's. We stopped at Elkhorn on the 4 of July. It was fenced off and he had to get permission to enter. We were in a Ford Bronco and had to use 4 wheel drive. It was rainy and we wound up getting two flats and only one spare. Remember having us sit on side to take the weight off the side that was flat while going back down the mountain. Luckily there was a service station that was open to repair the tire. Great memories , that was were I found what my dad told me was my first fools gold nugget in a small stream or run off crossing the road. Great times, thanks for the memories.
Where I found?
I could just sit and listen to him for hours. Maybe someday i will get to meet him. Stay safe John.
Well John I just recently turned 73 and would still love to live the way that you do! I am no stranger to hard work as I was raised in saw mills and on a farm later. When I was a young mom I packed my three children in my station wagon along with all of the supplies and tools that I knew we would need to survive on a old homestead that a friend had found and made arrangements for my children and me in north central British Columbia, Canada. It was late afternoon on a beautiful summer day when we left. By the time I got to the mountains past Hinton, Alberta, storm clouds were building so I pulled into a camp ground just before the storm hit. My two boys and daughter (and her cat) were already asleep so we stayed the night. Through the night I thought about what I was doing to my children by taking them so far away from what was familiar to them, their friends, school and horses. I knew that my parents would be angry with me to say nothing of what my (then) husband and his parents would do. So, I turned around and went back to the same abuse that I had run away from only to leave a few years later. I have been on my own since then and enjoying the freedom though never finding that true Joy of living my dream. You have a wonderful life and I can see the peace and contentment in your expression.
All I want to say is, I am envious of how you live there.
You are a very lucky man to have the beginnings you had. I have always dreamed of moving to Montana and living as you do there. But it takes a beginning. I never really knew my family. We were not close at all.
My parents died when I was young, 22. I left home when I was 17. Went to Vietnam. By the time I returned at 22, I only had months to know my parents before they died.
All the time wishing I could go to Montana and find a life there. Ending up just riding around this Great Country of ours in a truck. Every time I drove through Montana, getting that feeling of history and freedom.
Good Luck to you in your very SPECIAL life!
There's a ghost town the state will pay a wage and restored house to live I .it's on utube
Me too
Hey man, it's never to late to follow our dream! What's the worst that could happen, you finding your place in the world? Go for it man, there is still a lot of room in Montana...albeit, it is getting expensive, but if you seek out the back country and small towns, you'll find your dream! Go for it!!!
I would love to bring my grandchildren out there to see that town and spend a little time with this man. I'm a history buff... and they would learn so much.
Great video ! John is sitting here he says hello ! He's very pleased how the video turned out!
Ghost stories please I'm sure he knows a few 😀
Is John still living there now?
You and him need to start up a channel, day in the life type videos...people love him and everything about his way of life is interesting, he literally could rake in the money if he made a channel and that could go a long way to helping him preserve the area he lives in, think about it and bring it up with him....cheers 🍻
BE Blessed
He is alive and well .
Just moved to Philipsburg, from Phoenix, absolutely love Montana and the people here. I really like your videos, keep them coming!!
I met John a little while after he moved up here and worked with him at MDC, also. I had the great pleasure of spending time with him at his home. I loved it!!!! There is a lot of hard work to his lifestyle, I'll tell you. We have remained friends all these years. He IS a great guy. I don't get up there anymore due to physical restrictions ( dammit), so I almost cried when I was able to view this for the first time. I had to keep it under wraps for quite awhile, but I have had the original copy on my computer for months. Thank you all who appreciate it!!! Hi Jeff
Do you mind sharing the original copy?
What a lovely history & wonderful you've keep the family legacy alive. Back to nature & simplicity, is good for the soul.💞
I thank you, John, for this video...following your dream!
Wow, this is so well done
Great Video. I visited Elkhorn in August 2020. Recognize his cabin. Visited Elkhorn many times over the years. As a teenager I lived in Boulder and have many memories of this place, especially the cemetery.
Great documentary, Doug. John seemed like such a wonderful person. May he rest in peace.
that was awesome. he gets to in joy a world of his own.
Rest in peace, John. You will be missed.
Seeing this video, working 75hrs per week makes me think we work so hard for what, life just passes by and when you realize it, its too late. So Im at a starting point making a promise to myself weekends are to relax, smell the roses, watch the bird fly by, smoke my pipe and do nothing it's Friday night and it's time to start, I was going to work tomorrow but no more. They will see me Monday.
Hi John from Trenton , Georgia . Thanks so much for this trip to Montana it was awesome . I'm 73 years young and I thank I would love it there , it reminds me so much when I was growing up in Tennessee , both good times and not so good times but I thank it made me a strong person. Everybody knew everybody and we were there if you needed help . We lost a family behind us in a flood we had one year . One son was my age and we were inseparable and drowned with his dad , mom , and little brother . It was really hard , it happened in 1961 and I still thank about it a LOT . Thanks for sharing I would love to visit there soon . Be safe my friend and happy trails 👣
I see he has passed away. Seemed like a nice fellow. Godspeed John
John must be an Earth sign because he connects with nature just perfectly.
I enjoy every moment of this video.
Wish the Best for John. ⭐
My wife and 2 daughters and I went to Elkhorn Montana years ago. We walk through the town there was one man living there I'm guessing it's this gentlemans younger brother. We had to stop and open and close a gate to get to the town at that time. We talked about many of the dates in the cemetery being so close together.
Very well done documentary !!! We met "Elkhorn John" about two years ago and visited for a bit, glad to see he's doing well and hanging in there. Great work on this video production.
I would love to live in a old west ghost town!
Look up Ghost Town Living, it is about a guy who bought the ghost town of Cerro Gordo in CA. He is living there and restoring the town.
@@scottevans8489 Thank you for the information. I already follow him on youtube,really entertaining videos!
Well done video sir. I was very entertained. But all the people who would love to live this way don't know how difficult it is. Imagine going to the outhouse all the time when it's super snowy, cold and dark. That's just the start. But ya, one likes to dream. I live in Montana and have been there in the 70s.
Great story. I left LA myself in 2001 for Florida and have been there since. I will visit Montana when I retire
This is great. On my list as I travel the state doing clinics. Thank you!!
Yes...enjoy. Stop and say Hi to John!
I really enjoyed watching this video. It's a damn shame that this ghost town seems more peaceful and safe then our current living situation. He seems like a kind, friendly and interesting guy.
“Loves to cook”, slurps down RAW eggs. Lol. Wish I could visit Elkhorn.
I remember my great grandfather because of the pipe he smoked. He was the 1st born son of my 2nd great grandfather who fought in the Civil War and named his son after his commanding officer during the Civil War. That was Roy Stone of the 149th Pa Bucktails. My great grandfather was named Roy Stone and I sat on his lap as a child...
I love the leave it right joke made me chuckle so much it was really funny
Just got back from a wonderful trip that included Elkhorn, it was wonderful to see and to experience.
John, my best to you. Always enjoy life when you can to your expectations. I applaud you for being able to live such a full life surrounded by everything good in a atmosphere created by God. Take care. My best
The true way we were meant to live. Look at how we have become slaves to the commercial world. Would love to live here❣
Went there several times thirty five years ago, to photograph Elkhorn when I lived in Bozeman. It was an amazing and beautiful place, that made me feel like I was living in the 1800's. The cemetery made me feel very sad for those early residents who, had very little medical support for the serious and contagious deadly diseases that took the young and/or, entire families in a very short time span. Life back then was very hard and different, even if the residents back then appreciated the beauty of the landscape, compared to how we do now! It's a portal to life in a totally different time, and most of us could not imagine the hardships involved! I think however, they enjoyed the beauty of the land and life, much more than we do today!
Thank you, this was so enjoyable. ❤️Jodie 🇦🇺
Great video I do wish that money could be spent on fixing up that town and repairing or restoring some of those buildings that are sitting vacant it’s a town that has a lot of history and it should be saved.
Beautiful! Thanks!
Many great ghost town like elkhorn in Colorado.....St. Elmo is very similar in its history & mining.....this story is repeated 10,000 times across the west
💗💗💗💗being born and raised in Montana
I live in Helena. I've been up to Elkhorn years ago to explore the old cemetery with a digital recorder. You can believe what you want but, there is definitely something weird going on there. I recommend checking it out! You just might catch something recorded that is not there with you. Here's a hint, There are kids buried in that cemetery.
Infant mortality was very high in the 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds, dont make up some b.s. wishful thinking "ghost" story about it.
@@ericsimpson1176 It's not b.s. or made up. Go up there and find out for yourself instead of feeling the need to bash me on it.
Watching from the UK, It looks like a fantastic but hard lifestyle. Somedays you would wish to be there. But thats probably just me
Thoroughly enjoyed this documentary and your conversations with John. I honestly could see myself living in a similar situation someday. Perhaps lonely at times though the natural beauty and peace are more than any city can offer. Hope to see more documentaries from you in the future.
What a beautiful place and beautiful history!
Thank you for sharing this amazing video!
That would be a great place to metal detect.
Wonderful video! John was so happy😊
thank you , i enjoyed this so much.
Would love to visit and meet you someday. Thank you for the video John🧡 the bird.
Great video & testimonial, thanks for sharing!
Great Story , thank you
What a great guy and beautiful story. I travel by car a lot and like seeing places like this because they are rare. About halfway through the video I started thinking about a trip to Elkhorn and possibly meeting John. I was saddened to read the previous post which told of his death in 2021. Still, I may go anyway and maybe I'll run into his ghost and say "Hi" to him. I'm sure he's found a way to stay in Elkhorn, dead or alive.
What a beautiful place.... thank you
A delightful story well-told. Thanks.
I don't want to visit.....I want to live there. What a gorgeous place and to be so close to GOD's majesty there 🤴🕊️💗.
Beautiful beautiful video, i live in Montana, most beautiful place in the world.
Great video!!!! Make more like this please !
I would move back to Montana for the peace and quiet as I really miss the Treasure State..
Wonderful video. Well done to all involved.
John really enjoyed doing the film on his life in Elkhorn. There will be a short video tribute later this year. Doug Chester-Video Producer
Is John ok? When do you plan on releasing the tribute?
Douglas, my wife and I absolutely love your video. Is there anyway to get an uncut version of John’s story? Would love to check it out!
@@josephlopresti6825 send me your email address at mine listed on the video. We can talk off-line.
When is the video gonna drop?
Would love to see the tribute...also what other films have you made...this one was so good...how much was cut out of the actual footage?
Nature is amazing- what an awesome place ..
I loved this!
Nice story John glad you found your happy place many people search their entire life and never find it!
I visited, and I heard the music.
Fantastic video thank you for sharing your life brought smiles to my face that you’re living your dream it seems very exciting
Glad you enjoyed it! D.S. Chester
Wow 😳 A really heart 💜 felt video-
Loved that video
Heartwarming!!
a gentle man ended his days where his father began John Bonan bless you. full circle . thats leaverite son you leave it right where it IS ✨🌳🌲🏡🌾🌲🌳🙏💖
Awesome video 😃
Great video
You are an alright dude. Keep it up guy....I love Montana...keep doing what you like....
enjoyed your video .
Leaveitright .....what's leaveitright?....means leave it right there 👏🏻😂👏🏻 I gotta remember that quote 😃
Great work to the producer!
Great video John! Your dad sounds like my late grandfather...a real card.
Just checking this out so cool
Would love to talk to you john .The story about the old bird landing by your face ,they are lifes stories that mean something
Love the video. He has it made.. wish I could do this....God bless...
fascinating!
I'd need indoor plumbing with a proper bathroom, especially in the winter! Brrrr can you imagine having to go outside to use those outhouses when it's -10 degrees below and 2 feet of snow?😳🥶 Can't beat that scenery though, Montana is stunningly beautiful for sure.
Amazing
Montana is an absolutely beautiful place, my grandparents on my mother's and fathers side were born and raised, still have many relatives there, they all grew up in Great Falls area ! Now everyone has spread out threw the state , Whitefish , Great Falls, Helena, Billings , Wolf Point, Cut Bank , Martin City ,and on ! I will be move back when my husband retires !
I grew up in Culbertson and graduated from wolf point in 75 ,been in the wind now over 40 yrs , now live in small Wyoming town
My dog Dixie and I wish John a awesome travel in the after life. I'll miss our time together. Oh by the way I stopped by this summer and feed your critters.
Rest in peace my friend.
" Custer getting his just dues"- still haven't shaken that LA attitude.
So interesting
What is this, the thumbnail. I have had a very distinct dream about this place two years ago. 😳
Well , that was beautiful. Like John , I'm a landlocked ( by choice) beach boy and lifetime nature boy living in a similar place in Black Eagle, Montana. I'm sorry our paths did not cross in this life, we'd have been friends at the get-go. I'll make a trip to Elkhorn to say hello and bring peanut butter for that old bird.
A little piece of heaven.
Elkhork John is the man!
Great video! I wonder how he handles the cold winters?
The winters are tough.