bsbarchives@bsb.mt.gov (406) 782-3280 17 W. Quartz, Butte, Montana

Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives

Every person, through their lives, shapes local and American history. Archives are here to protect that history.

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Past Exhibits

One Family One Hundred Years: Centennial of the Pekin Noodle Parlor
All Nations
Butte Fire Department #1
Daughters of Norway
Exchange Club
Italians of Butte
Lebanese of Butte
Serbian Culture and Faith
100 Objects

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Did you know?

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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This weekend Butte should be twirling around the d This weekend Butte should be twirling around the dance floors of the Montana Folk Festival much like the revelers are seen doing in this photo but due to the current pandemic we will instead be dancing in our living rooms and lawns. We are looking forward to the festival next year. Tell us your favorite memories of the Folk Festival! . Image of dancers and orchestra at Winter Gardens Dance Hall. Smithers.02.035.01 . . . #BelieveInButte #ButteMontana #MontanaFolkFest #MTFolkFest #Dance
Wayne Preston is seen giving his mother a taste of Wayne Preston is seen giving his mother a taste of a recipe he submitted to the Montana Standard-Post Magicland Recipe Contest in July of 1962. The contest featured an adult category as well as a teenager category with prizes ranging from $50 to $3. Smithers.49.095.01 . . . #ButteMontana #FamilyRecipe #SummerInButte
On July 8, 1962 an explosion occurred at the Bell On July 8, 1962 an explosion occurred at the Bell Compressor Plant. A fire had started near an air compressor line tunnel, west of the compressor plant. The line "blew" in a main air compressor line causing a massive blast. Seven men were injured. Damage to the Hawkesworth drill shop as well as the Diamond hoist house occurred. Do you recall this event? Smithers.11.034.01 . . . #ButteMontana #Blast #SummerInButte #ButteHistory
The Butte Council of the Knights of Columbus was f The Butte Council of the Knights of Columbus was founded in July of 1902. Pictured today is the initiation of 110 members of the Butte Council of the Knights of Columbus on the 25th anniversary of their founding in July of 1927 in front of St. Joseph's Church. Smithers.06.017.06 . . . #ButteMontana #KnightsofColumbus #SummerInButte
In commemoration of the Meaderville Volunteer Fire In commemoration of the Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department's 50th anniversary in 1960 the firemen entered five decorated floats, a decorated hose cart and their firetruck into the 4th of July parade. All entries under the theme of "Thru the Years" can be seen in this image taken in the city shops yard. The MVFD was awarded the grand prize for their efforts. Smithers.46.103.01 . . . #ButteMontana #July4th #IndependenceDay #SummerInButte #ArchivesHuzzah #ArchivesJuly4
Butte has always made Independence Day's celebrati Butte has always made Independence Day's celebration into a two day event! Pictured today is a winning entry from the Comic Parade. This parade took place on the evening of July 3, 1950 and was followed by a street dance. The Montana Standard described this event as "comic garbed bands, clowns and others kept thousands of spectators in near hysterics as the comic parade wended its way through the business district in a one hour performance". The first comic parade occurred in 1936 and became an annual event through the 1950's. Also, the Archives is closed today, July 3rd in honor of Independence Day. Smithers.84.041.07 . . . #ButteMontana #IndependenceDay #SummerInButte
Born in Canada in 1881, Mary MacLane moved to Butt Born in Canada in 1881, Mary MacLane moved to Butte with her family in the 1890's. By 1902 she wrote and published an autobiography. It was a book filled with shocking and sensational beliefs and ideas, particularly for a woman at this time. Mary would go on to author two more books, write and star in a silent film titled "Men Who Have Made Love To Me", as well as pen articles for newspapers such as the one pictured here in the Butte Evening News. . This summer the Clark Chateau is hosting The Mary MacLane Book Club which features writings by women authors of diverse backgrounds and historical contexts, starting with "The Story of Mary MacLane" by Mary MacLane! Check out their Facebook page for more details on the book club. . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #MaryMacLane #BookClub
Today is National Postal Worker Day! This photo fr Today is National Postal Worker Day! This photo from 1964 was accompanied by the caption "Postal Worker Beer Club". If you see a postal worker today be sure to thank them and tip a glass to them as you remember this fun group of guys who worked for the postal service as well as joined together in fun for their "beer club"! If you know more about the beer club, please let us know! Photo PH354 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #NationalPostalWorkerDay
Have you ever gone through the tunnel between the Have you ever gone through the tunnel between the 15th green and 16th tee at the Butte Country Club Golf Course? These two men, identified as Phil Henne, left, and Ralph Godtland, are pictured using the tunnel the first summer it was built during the State Amateur Tournament in 1966. Smithers.02.089.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #FunInButte #Golf
President Warren G. Harding visited Butte on June President Warren G. Harding visited Butte on June 29, 1923 during his tour across the country which he dubbed "The Voyage of Understanding". Upon his arrival to Butte he was greeted by the Butte Mines Band with a chorus of hundred of children singing "America". He then went on to visit the High Ore and Mountain View mines where First Lady Mrs. Harding made a point to shake hands with the men working on the surface. The couple also visited the Leonard Mine before making a speech to a crowd of 8,000 spectators at Clark Park. Pictured today is President Harding taking with a man during this visit to Butte. Smithers.32.025.01 . . . #ButteMontana #PresidentHarding #SummerInButte
We are diving into the weekend! Pictured today is We are diving into the weekend! Pictured today is a man diving from a diving board at Gregson Hot Springs (now Fairmont Hot Springs) while another man looks on. Did you know Gregson Hot Springs was first advertised as a local resort in 1883? For more fun tidbits on the resort be on the lookout for a virtual "Hike Through History" featuring Gregson-Fairmont Hotsprings later this summer! Smithers.22.003.02 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #DiveIn #FairmontHotSprings #HikeThroughHistory
Pictured today is the annual Doll Parade that was Pictured today is the annual Doll Parade that was hosted by the Blue Birds of the Campfire Girls. The first event was held in May of 1929 and became an annual summer event through the 1970's. Approximately 300 girls participated in the first parade, pictured here on West Park Street. Baby dolls and their carriages were decorated and prizes were given for most original, most comic, and most beautiful. Smithers.84.032.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #DollParade
Today we are looking back into the past 83 years a Today we are looking back into the past 83 years ago! The 17th Annual Convention of the Montana Federation of Negro Woman's Clubs was held in Butte at the Bethel Baptist Church. . The clubs were founded at different times with Butte founding the Afro-American Women's Club in 1902. The federation of clubs first met in Butte in 1921. They lobbied for equal rights at local and state level as well as provided scholarships. In 1948 the name was changed to the Montana State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. By 1972 the federation had disbanded. . Smithers.03.040.08 . . . #ButteMontana #BlackHistory #SummerInButte
It's National Play Catch Week so get outside and t It's National Play Catch Week so get outside and throw a ball around to celebrate! Pictured today is a Copper League baseball game at Clark Park. Smithers47.114.01 . . . #ButteMontana #Baseball #SummerInButte #PlayCatch
We love this photo of Roy E. Murray Sr. beaming wh We love this photo of Roy E. Murray Sr. beaming while holding his grandchild as his son, Roy E. Murray Jr, and daughter-in-law, Patricia Murray look on with giant grins outside the Murray Motor Company. . Roy E. Murray Sr. owned the Murray Motor Co., opening the business in 1918. Upon his retirement his son took over the family business. Murray Motor Co. closed in 1961. . Smithers.76.170.05 . . . #ButteMontana #FathersDay #HappyFathersDay #SummerInButte
This photo is dated July 4, 1925 but the phenomeno This photo is dated July 4, 1925 but the phenomenon known as "The Lady of the Snows" or the "Highland Virgin" may be visible now due to snow melt in the Highlands. She is recorded to have first been seen in 1915 and has made an annual appearance since then. Have you ever seen the lady? PH326 . . . #ButteMontana #Highlands #SummerInButte #Snow
We love this photo of a little boy helping a littl We love this photo of a little boy helping a little girl get a drink from the water fountain at the Columbia Gardens when she could have just as easily used the stairs instead! Who else remembers getting a drink on a hot day from this fountain? For more great photos belonging to the C. Owen Smithers collection be sure to follow @c.owensmitherscollection on Instagram! Smithers.09.021.12 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #RememberTheGardens #FunInButte
Mrs. Jessie C. Knox was called the "Mother of Flow Mrs. Jessie C. Knox was called the "Mother of Flowers". Mrs. Knox arrived in Butte in 1891 and was told nothing would grow in Butte. She proved everyone wrong by opening the Inverness Greenhouse in 1892 and became the first florist in Butte. She planted trees, geraniums, chrysantheums, carnations and roses, giving away a rose to each visitor at her greenhouse. Mrs. Knox is pictured in her lath house covered in climbing roses. PC112 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #ButteInBloom
Today is Flag Day! This program dates back to 1945 Today is Flag Day! This program dates back to 1945 when the Elks Lodge of Butte hosted Flag Day Services. The Elks Lodge is once again hosting a Flag Day Service! Stop by the Elks at 206 W. Galena at 4pm today, Sunday, June 14th, to learn about the evolution of the American flag. Image SM004.018 . . . #ButteMontana #FlagDay #Elks #SummerInButte
Did you know Miners Union Day was first celebrated Did you know Miners Union Day was first celebrated in Butte on June 13, 1878? Pictured today is a stereograph of two men double jack drilling while spectators cheer them on at the Columbia Gardens. This one of the many competitions that occurred on Miners Union Day. . Tomorrow the @buttewmm is hosting Miners Union Day! Admission is free but tickets are required to attend and can be obtained at www.miningmuseum.org. Reduced rate underground tours will also be offered. . . . #ButteMontana #MinersUnionDay #SummerInButte #FunInButte #Mining
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