Radon Health Mines Continue to Cure
A half-dozen defunct gold mines south of Helena, Montana, continue to attract ailing tourists who like to bask in radioactive radon gas and drink radioactive water. Each summer, hundreds of people, many of them Amish and Mennonites, come to the radon health mines to relax and treat arthritis, lupus, asthma and other chronic cripplers.
With colorful names like the Sunshine Health Mine, Free Enterprise, Earth Angel, and the Merry Widow, the mine shafts tout radon levels 175 times higher than the federal safety standard for houses.
The average visitor is 72 years old.
[12/14/1997]- Address:
- 149 Depot Hill Rd, Boulder, MT
- Directions:
- Sunshine Health Mine (406-225-3670): I-15 exit 160 then a half-mile up Galena gulch Free Enterprise Health Mine (406-225-3383): I-15 exit 164, turn west at 2nd St. Drive two miles to the top of the hill, follow Free Enterprise signs.
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
