Butte Montana is no longer the mineral-rich boomtown
it was in the 19th century, when Copper Kings built Victorian Mansions
in Uptown and Irish immigrants made good on the American Dream in Corktown
and Dublin Gulch Today the population of Butte is less than 40,000 and
the city has its share of financial struggles and environmental problems
(a legacy of it’s strip-mining, ore-smelting past). But Butte
is hanging in there, and there are some very interesting things to see
and do.
Butte’s colorful history is evident everywhere in the city, not
least of all thanks to the “Ghost Signs”, antique, billboard-sized
advertisements painted on the sides of buildings.
Butte’s Uptown is one of the nation’s largest historical
districts. Some excellent examples of early 20th century architecture
are maintained in Butte, like the Courthouse and the adjacent Silver
Bow Center, as well as the Mother Load Theater, the only remaining turn
of the century theater in operation in a city that was once full of
them. As far as historical museums go, the World Mining Museum and the
Mineral Museum (home of “Big Daddy”, the states largest
Quartz crystal) are rather more interest than they sound. On the other
hand, the Dumas Brothel is every bit as interesting as it sounds; this
historical landmark is the was the longest running establishment of
its kind in America, and at one time employed 2,400 “ladies of
the night”.
Outdoor adventure in the Butte area is a short drive in any direction.
The Highland Mountains and old forest roads are perfect for hiking and
biking. Boating and trout fishing are popular on Georgetown Lake and
the Missouri, Madison and Big Hole Rivers.
Skiers need look no further than the relatively nearby Discovery Basin
for their needs.
Easily the most astounding sight in Butte
Montana is the statue Our Lady of the Rockies, a 90-foot statue of the
Virgin Mary that overlooks the city from the mountains 3,000 feet above;
daily bus tours take visitors to the base of this volunteer built white
wonder.
