Helena and Butte, Montana: Mining and the Wild West
Mining History
Helena, which yielded three and a half million dollars worth of gold, and Butte, nicknamed “The Richest Hill on Earth,” are both historic mining towns. Butte’s World Mining Museum invites you to experience a taste of early Montana life at a re-created 1890’s mining town called Hell Roarin’ Gulch. Explore the mining town, journey down to an underground exhibit, see mining equipment and some of the minerals they yielded, and more at this incredible museum.
The Montana Historical Society Museum, Montana’s Museum, presents exhibits about Montana life throughout history (including re-created rooms and original artifacts), Native nations and European settlers, paintings by Charles M. Russel (“Montana’s Cowboy Artist”), and more. The richness of Montana’s history is well-reflected here!
The Mai Wah Museum chronicles the lives of Butte’s Chinese immigrants, who made up ten percent of the city’s population in 1870. The Wah Chong Tai Company and neighboring Mai Wah Noodles & Chop Suey Building, built in 1899 and 1909, respectively, are enduring testaments to Butte’s once thriving Chinatown. Thousands of artifacts from a Chinese and Japanese general store, Chinese restaurants, and more, along with interpretive texts, historical background, and photos, can be viewed at this gem of a museum.
Tour the Wild West
Tour Butte by ATV, trolley, golf cart, or on foot with one of the city’s incredible Adventure Tours. Butte’s city tours are all rated excellently, and many are led by historical, geological, and local experts. Choose from Butte Urban Safari Tours (B.U.S.T.), Butte Trolley Tours, Montana ATV Adventures, or Old Butte Historical Adventures, for an amazing time!
Hike to the top of the Continental Divide for an up-close look at a ninety foot tall statue of the Virgin Mary: Our Lady of the Rockies Statue. The statue is dedicated to all women, especially mothers.
Art and Architecture
The Montana State Capitol building’s dome is beautiful both inside and out. Its interior is filled with bright, intricate paintings illuminated by lofty windows, and its copper exterior is topped with a statue of Lady Liberty. Tour the capitol to see paintings of Montana landscapes and heroes and learn more about the building’s architecture and Montana government and history.
The Cathedral of Saint Helena, built in 1905, is a monumental Gothic cathedral based on the Votivkirche Cathedral in Vienna. The cathedral’s exterior looks like a picture from a European fairy tale, and its stained glass windows are some of the finest ever produced by their Bavarian manufacturer.
Nature
Climb to the top of Mount Helena for the best view of Montana’s historic capitol and the mountainous Helena National Forest.
Happy Exploring!
Image courtesy of Boykung / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
