Visit Butte Montana

Visit the Old Mining Town of Butte

Just northwest of Yellowstone along I-90 lies the former mining town of Butte, Montana. Nicknamed "the richest hill on earth," Butte has more than 2,000 miles of underground mines. Originally started as a gold mining town in 1864, Butte's population rapidly grew to 22,000 citizens in just two decades. The discovery of silver and copper kept the inhabitants there. People from all over the world, Finland, China, and Ireland were attracted to the riches that Butte's hills held. The mines they created are still there, and some of them are deeper than 3,500 feet. Butte is brimming with history and places of interest.

The Berkeley Pit
The Berkeley Pit used to be an immigrant neighborhood, and then the largest truck-operated open pit copper mine in the U.S. However, today it is a lake contaminated by acidic mining residues. Over the years, water seeped down from the mine tunnels and reacted with the ore, creating a toxic juice. Despite its lethal water, Berkeley Pit is a huge tourist attraction.

Old Number One Trolley Tour
There is a trolley tour that takes you around the city and to all its major hot spots. The tour is narrated and lasts 1 1/2 hours.

The World Museum of Mining
Part of the World Museum of Mining is built with old mining structures, giving visitors insight to what mines once looked like. The museum holds mining artifacts as well as ink drawings created by the miners of long ago. The machinery and artwork tell of the harsh reality of life back then.

Other points of interest
The Dumass Brothel, now an antique shop offering tours, is a reminder of the sad seediness that existed in the streets of Butte during the mining era. The Mai Wah and Wah Chong Tai Buildings used to be noodle houses and laundries run by the Chinese miners. Today they offer exhibits that inform visitors of the Asian history in the West. The first miners in Butte were Chinese.