Wickes is located in what was originally called the Colorado district, although it became more commonly known as the Wickes district when that town rose to prominence in the 1880s.
The first lode deposits were discovered in the district in 1864 and the Gregory became the first substantial producer. In 1867 a smelter was built at the Gregory, the second ever to be built in Montana Territory. This smelter was considered a failure and much of the value of the ores were lost in the process. As a consequence, ores from the district were transported at great expense, first by wagon to Fort Benton, then by boat to St, Louis, and then to Swansea, Wales to be smelted.
