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Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives

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During the era before prohibition, Butte supported five breweries: The Centennial, the Crystal, the Tivoli, The Butte Brewery, and the Olympia.

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Three girls pose in a Penney's Valentine's Day dis

Three girls pose in a Penney's Valentine's Day display, 1948.

Photo: Smithers.076.032.05

What winter activities will you be up to with all

What winter activities will you be up to with all this fresh snow? This image is of two women skating at Holland Rink, no date. ❄❄ Photo: PH474.066

Today we celebrate Chinese New Year! From John As

Today we celebrate Chinese New Year!

From John Astle's Century of Butte Stories:

Sharply at midnight, firecrackers were set off to chase away any evil spirits who may hover to mar the 'good luck of the New Year.’ Those households which honored the 'Kitchen God’ placed joss sticks at his shrine as well as appropriate offerings of rice, wine, and meat. This deity was greatly revered, for it was he who controlled the abundance or shortage of food during the coming year.
The community worship was performed by the guardian of the Temple, who collected contributions in advance for the necessary preparations. Devout worshippers, seeking prosperity for their businesses and their families in China, visited the Temple and made personal offerings.

The New Year menu consisted of 12 to 24 courses. Special festive dishes served included such delicacies as Jin Doi - a fried round pastry with sweet filling; Nien Koa - a steamed rice flour pudding decorated with dates and sesame seed; Tai Lung Kum - a halfmoon-shaped pastry filled with bits of pork, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. Lacquer sweetmeat boxes were filled with candied ginger roots, lotus seeds, coconut strips and squares, melon rind, kumquats, and lichee nuts.
Festivities lasted a month. Each household and business set aside a day for inviting friends to share in the New Year feast, which began the day after New Year and lasted until each family had its turn as host.
Photo: Smithers.02.002.06, Butte's Chinese Temple which was torn down in 1945.

Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Dyn

Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Dynamite Explosion. You can read more about this event on our blog: https://buttearchives.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/the-great-dynamite-explosion-of-1895/

Two women and child on porch of residence. We'd lo

Two women and child on porch of residence. We'd love to know where this home is or was if anyone recognizes it.

Photo: PH474.050

Man in ice skates at the Holland Rink, circa 1918.

Man in ice skates at the Holland Rink, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.047

Unidentified child standing in front of a home, ci

Unidentified child standing in front of a home, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.034

Women and children posed in automobile on a dirt r

Women and children posed in automobile on a dirt road, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.011

Group of men and women posed kneeling at rail fenc

Group of men and women posed kneeling at rail fence, circa 1918.
Photo: PH474.007

Group picnicking, circa 1918. We have numerous pho

Group picnicking, circa 1918. We have numerous photos of this family we'll be sharing over the next week. We'd love to identify them if anyone has any clues.

Photo: PH474.006

Parade on Park Street, circa 1918. Notice Symon's

Parade on Park Street, circa 1918. Notice Symon's Department Store directly on the left.
Photo: PH474.001

Liederkrantz New Year Celebration at the Stamm Hom

Liederkrantz New Year Celebration at the Stamm Home, 1941.

Photo: Smithers.01.041.01

Montana Hotel in Anaconda, Montana, 1957. Photo:

Montana Hotel in Anaconda, Montana, 1957.

Photo: PH308

New Silver Bow County airport plow truck, 1958. P

New Silver Bow County airport plow truck, 1958.

Photo: Smithers.49.092.01

Winter fun, circa 1930. Photo: Smithers.21.020.03

Winter fun, circa 1930.

Photo: Smithers.21.020.03

A young man kneels in the snow, lacing a young wom

A young man kneels in the snow, lacing a young woman's ice skate at an ice-skating rink, 1924.
Photo: Smithers.21.003.05

Members of the Joshers' Club delivering food to fa

Members of the Joshers' Club delivering food to families in need. The Joshers' Club was informally organized just before Christmas in 1904 by individuals who wanted to help the needy of Butte. Spearheaded for over 20 years by William "Billy" Gemmell, the group sought donations of food, meat, and treats to distribute every year at Christmas. The Joshers' Club food drives were discontinued in 1931 because relief work was taken over by the Silver Bow County Relief Association.

Photo: Smithers.06.014.16

Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department Christmas di

Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department Christmas display with the theme, "Hope, Peace, and Love," 1960.
Photo: Smithers.33.024.01

Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department Christmas di

Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department Christmas display with the theme, "Santa Claus and his Helpers." Photo: Smithers.33.013.02

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. Here's how

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. Here's how Temple B'nai Israel observed the holiday in 1911.

Photo: Butte Daily Post, December 22, 1911.

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