Butte

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Sign advertising Butte, on the I15 as approached from the north.
Sign advertising Butte, on the I15 as approached from the north.

Butte is one of the major towns in Montana.

[edit] Understand

It used to be Montana's largest city, but has dwindled in size and importance along with the state's mining industry. The essence of the town is summed up by the sign on the northern approach from the I-15:

The "greatest mining camp on earth" built on "the richest hill in the world". That hill, which has produced over two billion dollars worth of gold, silver, copper and zinc is literally honeycombed with drifts, winzes and stopes that extend beneath the city. There are over 3000 miles of workings and shafts reach a depth of 4000 feet. This immediate country was opened as a placer district in 1864. Later Butte became a quartz mining camp and successively opened silver, copper and zinc deposits. Butte has a most cosmopolitan population derived from the four corners of the world. She was a bold, unashamed, rootin', tootin' hell-roarin' camp in days gone by and still drinks her liquor straight.

[edit] Get in

Butte is located right along I-90 between Deer Lodge and Whitehall, and also at the intersection with the I-15 highway.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

  • The most interesting (horrifying?) feature of Butte is the 1,700-foot-deep Berkeley Pit (sometimes referred to by out-of-staters as the "Butte Hole"), the site of a former copper mining operation that is now partially filled with toxic runoff and is listed as a Superfund site. Despite the frightening description, The Pit is an interesting and instructive side trip and should not be passed up.

[edit][add listing] Do

The Saint Patrick's Day celebration is a regional legend as Butte is one of those rare places that does not have an open container law. Beer is colored green, and many people flock to the town for drinking and partying.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Butte is known for the food of its minning heritage. Pastys are a meat potato and onion mix, surrounded by dough. Miners used their helmet candles to heat the self contained meal down in the shaft below Butte. Pastys are served locally at resurants with two (Joe's and Nancy's) giving them top billing.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • The Party Palace lives up to its billing, with pool and karaoke and cheap beer, but the local clientele leaves a lot to be desired.
  • The Silver Dollar Saloon offers a friendly place for a drink, with a youthful atmosphere.
  • Maloney's in uptown Butte is where you will find exotic beers, including Guiness.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • The Finlen Hotel (100 E. Broadway, 1-800-729-5461) is an inexpensive and historic hotel, well-located to accommodate walking through the rest of Butte's downtown. Rooms are clean and well-maintained, but be aware that cheaper rooms may actually be located in the motel section, a not-as-historic add-on with much more spartan accommodations.
  • Hampton Inn Butte (3499 Harrison Avenue, 1-406-494-2250).
  • Toad Hall Manor an elegant, charming bed & breakfast which takes its name from the British children's classic, "The Wind in the Willows". This is truly a wonderful place for a relaxing change of pace, celebration of a special occasion, or a romantic getaway. Find more info online at toadhallmanor.com

[edit] Get out

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