In this interview John Ellingsen discusses "Old Town" and trips to Virginia City in the 1950s and 1960s. He specifically discusses his own family history beginning with his grandmother homesteading at Big Sandy in 1914; growing up in Great Falls; his early love of architecture; attending Montana State University in 1965 studying historic architecture; Bovey's work to establish "Old Town" and his philosophy concerning authenticity; detailed description of the buildings and setting; his first trip to Yellowstone National Park, Helena, Butte and Virginia City in 1952; seeing the Virginia City Players for the first time; returning to VC in 1959 and noticing the changes; the removal of "Old Town" from the Great Falls Fair Ground; returning to visit V.C. over the 1960s and noticing the additions; and meeting Joe Schenazie a Basque shepherder for Bovey.
