The Radon Baths
Old Montana Mine Shafts Furnished as Radioactive Health Spas
Field Report by Sarah Simons
Several abandoned gold and silver mines in the hills
around Boulder, Montana, have found new uses as health spas. These
radon health mines have high concentrations of radioactive radon
gas in the air and the water inside the mine, a gas which many
believe to be beneficial to the body, in limited doses. Said to
be the only such health mines in the Americas, visitors from around
the country, and many Canadians, come to spend a few days or weeks
inside the mines, primarily absorbing the gas through the air.
To accommodate these visitors, the six independently
owned mines have simple - and moisture resistant - furnishings,
including tables strewn with magazines. During prescribed hour-long
visits (the State Board of Health recommends no more than an hour
or two at a time in the mine, and prohibits small children and
pregnant women from entering), visitors talk amongst themselves,
knit, read, or just sit silently, in some cases soaking their
feet in radon rich pools of water.
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive
gas that is formed from the naturally occurring radioactive decay
of radium and uranium. Visitors to the health mines, mostly elderly
people, find that it relieves symptoms of arthritis, emphysema,
diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, eczema, psoriasis and
other health problems. Of the thousands that visit the mines,
many maintain the regimen on a yearly basis, and each mine boasts
a collection of numerous testimonials.
Merry Widow Health Mine
Merry Widow Health Mine Entrance.
CLUI photo
Merry Widow Health Mine Interior.
CLUI photo
Alcoves off this 500 foot long tunnel hold a small
bathing area, picnic-type tables, and the "poodle pen"
to hold pets. Most visitors sit in the main chamber at the end
of the tunnel, many with their feet in basins of water. Electric
radiant heaters provide heat in the sitting areas. Magazines on
tables, testimonials hanging on walls, and grafitti from visitors
is common. Our short visit here caused a geiger counter to give
us a .6 mr/hr rating.
Sunshine Health Mine
Sunshine Health Mine entrance.
CLUI photo
Sunshine Health Mine interior.
CLUI photo
A highly decorated, and social mine. Just inside
the entrance there is a grotto with artificial flowers and a small
plastic faun. Further down are alcoves with exercise bikes. There
is a wide main chamber at the end, with names of visitors written
over every wooden surface, and on a table are board games, paperback
books, and magazines. The surrounding outbuildings create a community
resort atmosphere, with lawn, pond, laundry room, hot tub, and
cabins.
Lone Tree Health Mine
Merry Widow Health Mine Entrance.
CLUI photo
Lone Tree Health Mine entrance. CLUI photo
The smallest of the mines, shallow and wide, with
cinder block walls. Furnished mostly with green vinyl metal framed
school bus bench seats, which were found in all the health mines.
Earth Angel Health Mine
Earth Angel Health Mine.
CLUI photo
This mine has the strongest concentration of radon
gas, limiting users to 20 visits at a stretch (instead of the
usual 30). Halfway down the 600 foot long tunnel, a fork leads
to a narrow, dry chamber, with a few chairs. The main tunnel,
paved with concrete, extends further, and has a small stream of
water running alongside the walkway. At the end is a chest high
dam with a grate on top, opening onto a reservoir - a dark, linear
pool of water, plunging deep into the mountain. No decorations
at all in this mine.
Free Enterprise Health Mine
Free Enterprise Health Mine interior.
CLUI photo
Free Enterprise Health Mine interior, another view.
CLUI photo
The Free Enterprise mine is the oldest and most
developed health mine, established in 1952. Visitors enter the
mine after an elevator ride, departing from a lounge and reception
area inside a cinderblock building. The elevator slowly drops
85 feet, and opens in the middle of a mined hallway, with sitting
rooms at either end. This seems to be the most business-like mine,
with more substantial buildings, and a website and 800 number.
High Ore Health Mine
High Ore Health Mine interior.
CLUI photo
The most remote mine (a few miles into the hills,
down dirt road from the highway), and the least decorative entrance.
A very long, and very wet tunnel, with mining car rails in the
floor. One car remains off to the side in an alcove. Old bottles
line the walls as decoration, along with white mold on wooden
walls, and written testimonials discolored with age and moisture.
At the end is the usual small table with wax tablecloth, and the
reading material typical of these mines: Readers Digest, National
Geographic, Family Circle. Past the last alcove is a locked gate
blocking off the rest of the mine. The mine was completely unattended
and open when we visited, light switch on the wall.
