The 2026 Annual Historical Tour and Potluck will take place Saturday, Sept.12, giving longtime residents another opportunity to revisit some favorite pieces of Mineral County history while newcomers get a chance to discover the stories, places and people that helped shape the community they now call home.

The daylong adventure will travel up Cedar Creek to the historic Gildersleeve Mine, with local history buffs from the Historical Society serving as guides. Along the way, participants will stop at many of the familiar historical sites featured on previous tours, while also hearing some new stories. Among this year's presentations will be the tale of a local miner gathering his grubstake and a foreigner's memories of time spent at Louisville and China Gulch.

And that is part of what makes the annual tour so much fun as you never quite know what story is going to emerge around the next bend. For longtime residents, the tour is a chance to hear familiar stories again, perhaps with a few details they had forgotten. For those who are new to the area, it is a wonderful introduction to the rich mining history that is tucked into the dirt surrounding Superior. 

Last year's tour attracted more than 90 people, and organizers expect another good turnout this year. Participants are asked to meet behind the Mineral County Museum and Historical Society at 301 East 2nd Avenue in Superior at 8:30 a.m. for registration. Orientation and loading the buses will begin promptly at 9 a.m.

Riding the bus is strongly encouraged. Docents will be presenting historical information during the ride, allowing participants to hear more of the stories without having to make as many stops along Cedar Creek Road. With a large crowd expected, carpooling and riding the bus will also help reduce traffic on Cedar Creek Road and keep the tour moving smoothly from one historic location to another. Those planning to attend are asked to call the museum in advance at 406-822-3543 so organizers can get a better idea of transportation needs.

Then comes the part that might be almost as important as the history, the potluck. The Gildersleeve Mine will be the final stop, where everyone can gather for lunch and swap stories of their own. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share, such as a salad or dessert. Coolers will be available to keep those dishes chilled. The camp will also feature a main course, beverages, along with speakers, optional tours of the mine buildings, gold panning and music. In other words, once the history lesson is over, there will still be plenty of reasons to stick around. 

The tour costs $5 per person or $10 per family, with the money helping cover the cost of bus rental, portable toilets and the main course served at the camp.

A water bottle and light jacket are recommended, along with a willingness to spend a day enjoying the outdoors and listening to stories from Mineral County's past. For newer residents, it may be the perfect way to learn that the mountains, creeks and old mine sites surrounding Superior have plenty of stories of their own, and that the people telling those stories are some of the best neighbors they could hope to meet.