Norris began as a mining camp and many of the old mine shafts and coal outcroppings are still visible. Norris was also an important railroad shipping point for the cattlemen. The town's location along Hot Spring Creek attracted travelers to the warm baths in the area.
Norris is a business center for five mining districts: Lower Hot Springs, Upper Hot Springs, Washington, Meadow Creek, and Norwegian Gulch. Some of the properties were placer claims. Lode mines were discovered by the late 1860s. Including the Washington district, the totals from 1864-1930 were $3,964,500 from gold.
This is one camp that never completely died. Corundum of gem quality is found in placer diggings around here.
Norris is located in south central Montana, southwest of Bozeman on US Highway 287 and MT Highway 84, 10 miles south of Harrison on Hot Springs Creek.
