Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Butte
Silver Bow County, Montana
ZipCodes
59701
Motto
The Mining City
Page Contents for Butte, Montana
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Community news
Community events.
Statistics & Facts
The Montana state capital is Helena.
The population of Butte is approximately 33,941 (1997).
Butte is positioned 45.98 degrees north of the equator and 112.51 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Butte elevation is 5,549 feet above sea level.
Location
in southwestern Montana. Butte is about 64 miles from Helena, the state capital, and 82 miles from Bozeman. Missoula is about 119 miles away and Billings 224 miles.Return to Index
Climate
seasonal with cold winters. Since the altitude is higher, you might sunburn more easily. During the summer, mosquitoes and other biting critters may be a problem in lake and river areas. Always bring something warm to wear at night, even in the warm summer months.
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History & History Related Items
Butte had it beginnings as a booming silver camp. Once the sought-after silver ore became lower grade, copper ore was discovered. The copper mines were developed slower than the silver mines and many fortunes were won and lost and many battles for dominance were fought over the riches. It was said of Butte that it sat on top of "the richest hill on earth." Not only was copper and silver mined, but along with them came gold and other metals. Mined for over 100 years, the ores seem to be inexhaustible. Though the mining camp atmosphere has gone from Butte, copper mining still plays an important role in the area economy.
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The settling of Butte
1864Attractions
The Copper King Mansion
219 W. Granite St.
Butte, Montana
Phone: (406) 723-7580
This mansion, built in 1888, was the 32 room home of Senator W.A. Clark from the early mining days. It has been restored with special emphasis on the frescoed ceilings and walls, stained-glass windows and nine hand-carved fireplaces and more.
World Museum of Mining and Hell Roarin' Gulch
W. Park St.
Butte, Montana
Phone: (406) 723-7211
This indoor and outdoor museum shows you what a "roaring" mining town was really like, plus many displays of mining memorabilia.
Arts Chateau
321 W. Broadway
Butte, Montana
Phone: 406-723-7600
A community art center and museum housed in the original home of Charles Clark, son of the Copper King, W.A. Clark. The home was built in 1898.
Mineral Museum
Mt. Tech Campus
Phone: 406-496-4414
Over 1,300 minerals from all over the world, including the 27.5 ounce Highland goldnugget, found south of Butte in the Highlands Mountains.
Our Lady of the Rockies
gift shop: 434 North Main
Butte, Montana
Phone: 406-782-1221
3,500 feet above Butte, on the Continental Divide, this 90 foot statue stands as a tribute to women, particularly to mothers. A bus tour takes visitors to the base of the statue. Please call ahead for reservations.
United States High Altitude Sports Center
1 Olympic Way
Butte, Montana
The center hosts competitions and is a training center for world class athletes. When not scheduled, the center is open to the public free of charge.
To check availability or for more information, please contact us at:
P.O. Box 3208
Butte, MT 59703
Phone: 406-723-7060
The Berkeley Pit Visitor Center
off Continental Drive.
An observation stand is open more of the year, except winter, during daylight hours. Coin operated telescopes are available to look more closely. Please check with the local chamber of commerce for more details.
The Berkeley Pit, started in 1955, was the largest truck-operated open pit copper mine in the USA until mining ceased in 1982. The pit is 7000 feet long, 5,600 feet wide and more than 1,800 feet deep. The pit is gradually filling with water through underground sources.
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Butte City Government
Butte/Silver Bow County Website155 West Granite Street
Butte, Montana
We are a consolidated city and county government located in southwest Montana. The communities within Silver Bow County are: Butte (county seat), Centerville, Divide, Melrose, Ramsay, Silver Bow, and Walkerville.
The governments of the city of Butte and Silver Bow County combined in 1977. The government is lead by the Chief Executive and a 12 member council of commissioners
Silver Bow County Disaster & Emergency Services homepage.
Butte Historical Events
1910Students from the Montana School of Mines (now Montana Tech) constructed a large "M" on the Butte. The three seniors of the Class of 1910 spearheaded the effort. The M was originally 75 feet wide. All 50 students from the school hauled up water and lime to whitewash the M. Two years later, serifs were added to the M to make it 90 feet wide. In 1962, the M was wired with 130 bulbs and is still illuminated at night. In 1978, the M was wired to flash a "V" when the local athletes had a victory.
Butte Chamber
Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce2950 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Phone: (406) 494-5595
Toll-free: 800-735-6814
Fax: 406-494-5188
Butte Chamber Of Commerce
1000 George St
Butte, MT 59701-7901
Phone: 406-723-3177
Toll-free: 800-735-6814
Fax: 406-723-1215
Email: butteinfo@butteinfo.org
Butte Community News
2000, May 12Help Schools Stay Safe! - This is a public service web site to help schools stay safe and beprepared for emergencies. Butte DES Site. Wilma Puich, coordinator
Neihart Silver Mines 1917 - 1924 (abt)
I have been reviewing and researching the Neihart Silver Mines which were in operation from around 1917 and were out of business by 1924...I think. I have been unable to find the reason for the extinction of the mine. I realize it was before and through the first world war and there was a drought around 1918. My grandfather was the accountant for the mine and a large stockholder. The stocks, ledger, journal and the original bonds issued are in my possession. I would greatly appreciate any and all information that anyone may have in regards to the life and death of the mine.
Thank-you Michael Tutty
Email: kctandm@in-tch.com
Butte Community Events
JulyVigilante Rodeo
Butte Organizations
Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce2950 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Phone: (406) 494-5595
Toll-free: 800-735-6814
Fax: 406-494-5188
Butte Chamber Of Commerce
1000 George St
Butte, MT 59701-7901
Phone: 406-723-3177
Toll-free: 800-735-6814
Fax: 406-723-1215
Email: butteinfo@butteinfo.org
Butte Schools
Butte School DistrictThis site has forms, schedules, individual teacher policies, school handbooks and much more. Information is coming in and being updated on a weekly basis.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Montana Tech of the University of Montana
W. Park St.
Butte, Montana
Phone: (406) 496-4266
Toll-free: 800-445-TECH
This campus, built in 1893, is near the mining operations in Butte. Its emphasis in geared toward mineral energy orientations. A Mineral Museum is on-campus (Phone: 406-496-4414)
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