Our Community
Butte's history is revealed in its skyline, the black steel headframes, and the Berkeley Pit. These are two of the vivid reminders of a town that started as a mining camp and grew to a city of over 100,000 by 1917.
When you visit uptown Butte much of its history can be seen in the mansions, museums and architecture that make Butte the amazing city that it is today.
Old Number One Trolley Tours
Tours originate at the Chamber of Commerce located at 1000 George Street. Tour historic Butte 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. for a small fee. There are limited tours in September. For reservations call 406-723-3177.
Arts Chateau
Located at 321 West Broadway, this turn of the century mansion, built in 1898 is both a community art center and museum. The Chateau was the original home of Charles Clark, son of Copper King W.A. Clark. Tours are available and admission is charged. During the summer tours are given Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more information please call 406-723-7600.
Copper King Mansion
The Copper King Mansion located at 219 West Granite was built for Copper King William A. Clark. Privately owned now, much of its magnificence remains in the architecture, interior woodwork, light fixtures, and furnishings. Tours are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily May through September. For more information call 406-782-7580.
Our Lady of the Rockies
There's no better place to get a bird's-eye view of Butte than from Our Lady of the Rockies. This half-day tour winds up mountain roads high above town to "Our Lady." About the size of the Statue of Liberty, Our Lady was built by blue-collar volunteers. It's a great trip and an inspiring story.
http://www.ourladyoftherockies.com/
Anselmo Mine Yard
Located at Calendonia and Excelsior the Interpretive Center brings Butte's mining history to life. Open June 15 - August 17, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information call 406-497-6274 or 406-723-3177.
World Museum of Mining and 1899 Mining Camp
Don't let the name fool you. This museum isn't only about mining; it's also about the politics, pride and individuality that shaped the West. The 44-acre museum preserves a historic mine with a 100-foot head frame you can explore, a recreated mining town with more than 50 structures with thousands of historic relics. The museum also features many programs and special events. A visit here will give you a sense of the colorful range of people who settled Montana.
Located on the west end of Park St. the museum is open April 1st through October 31st, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information call 406-723-7211. http://www.miningmuseum.org
Berkeley Pit
The Berkeley Pit is a 1700-foot-deep hole, nearly three miles around the outside and, as you stand on the viewing stand, the far side is about a mile away. The Pit was created over a 30-year period, beginning with block caving of some of the underground mines after World War II. By the mid-1950's because of the availability of huge trucks and loaders, the ore was mined from the surface. The ore, containing about 1.5 percent copper, was milled at a concentrator southeast of the Pit. When ARCO closed all the mines in 1982 the underground pumps were shut off and the abandoned Pit has slowly filled with extremely acidic water. Eventually, the water will be cleaned at the water treatment plant, but in the meantime, the Pit gives Butte a lake like none other as well as giving researchers a unique challenge. The Pit is open from March through November. For more information call 406-723-3177.
Granite Mountain Mine Memorial
After the U.S. entered World War I, demand for copper for the war effort had every mine in Butte working to capacity. Near midnight on June 8, 1917, a fire broke out at the 2,400-foot level of the Granite Mountain mine. It quickly spread to the neighboring Speculator mine. Fire, smoke and gas claimed 168 miners. Incredibly, 31 survived. The memorial, built in 1996, features letters to families from the fallen miners, a reproduction of the story in the Butte newspaper, and the names of the miners who gave their lives. The floor of the memorial is paved with bricks bearing families' remembrances. The Memorial is located off North Main St. just past the St. Lawrence Church. For more information call 406-723-3177.
The Mai Wah
The Mai Wah and Wah Chong Tai buildings are adjacent to China Alley, a narrow thoroughfare between Galena and Mercury Streets in uptown Butte. The Mai Wah is a historic building in what was Chinatown. Once a mercantile and noodle parlor, the building now houses exhibits to interpret Asian history in Butte and the Rocky Mountain West. The Mai Wah is open from June through August, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information call 406-723-3177.
Mineral Museum on Montana Tech Campus
Rock hounds of all ages will marvel at the rare crystal and rock formations displayed here. This is one of the finest collections in the world, with many of the pieces pulled from beneath Butte itself. For more information call 406-496-4414.
General Information
From 1880 to 2000 the following quantities of ore were produced from the Butte Hill:
Copper (includes precipitated copper) 22,799,000,000 pounds (11,399,500 tons)
Zinc 4,909,202,540 pounds (2,454,601 tons)
Silver 725,486,448 ounces (45,342,903 pounds)
Gold 2,922,466 ounces (182,654 pounds)
|
