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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We are ready to cruise into the weekend! Butte is We are ready to cruise into the weekend! Butte is so lucky to be within a short drive of so many great outdoor adventures such as the Ringing Rocks, Homestake or Delmoe Lake or taking a walk on one of Butte's many trail systems! Smithers.22.019.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #Weekend #Adventure
Today is National Root Beer Float Day! Where is yo Today is National Root Beer Float Day! Where is your favorite place in Butte to get this frosty treat in Butte? Pictured today is the RWB Root Beer Stand on South Excelsior Street. PH 347 . . . #ButteMontana #NationalRootBeerFloatDay #RootBeer #SummerInButte
A few things have changed from this vantage point A few things have changed from this vantage point on Big Butte since this photo was taken in 1947! Get out and hike Big Butte to compare today's view to this photo. What differences do you notice? Smithers30.306.01 . Now is the perfect time to explore the sites outside your backdoor! . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #BigButte #BigM #ThatViewThough #BelieveInButte
Greyhound racing started started in Butte in 1925. Greyhound racing started started in Butte in 1925. The Highland Kennel Club advertised the dog races as the "Sport of Queens". Pictured today is "Altcar Drain" winner of the Butte Dog Derby on August 4, 1930 at the Highland Kennel Club. . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #ThisDayInHistory
Did you know Our Lady of the Rockies is the nation Did you know Our Lady of the Rockies is the nation's fourth tallest statue at 90 feet tall? It took six years to build by the people of Butte and was put into place in 1985. Tours leave from the Butte Plaza Mall at 12pm daily if you are interested in seeing this amazing statue! MC0933.015 . Now is the perfect time to explore the sites outside your backdoor! . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #OurLadyOfTheRockies #BelieveInButte
Today marks the 103rd anniversary of IWW recruiter Today marks the 103rd anniversary of IWW recruiter Frank Little's death. Little came to Butte speaking out against big companies and World War One. He was found hanging from the Milwaukee Railroad Trestle the morning of August 1st, 1917. While not everyone in Butte agreed with his views, his death was ultimately met with disgust. Over 2,500 people marched in his funeral making the procession over a mile long as hundreds of onlookers stood in silence as it passed. To this day, it is unknown who killed Frank Little. Pictured today is an image of Little's funeral cortege. Smithers.32.086.03 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #FrankLittle
Fire in the hole! Pictured today are miners workin Fire in the hole! Pictured today are miners working by candlelight underground. You can go 100 feet underground on a guided tour into the Orphan Girl Mine at the World Museum of Mining and see a scene very similar to this as well as the opportunity to stand in a man cage, ring the bells and see the original timbers of the 100 foot level station! Plus it stays a lovely 45 degrees year round in the Orphan Girl so you can beat the heat! Reservations are recommended . Visit www.miningmuseum.org for more info! Smithers25.076.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #Underground #Mining #ButteWMM
Have you visited the Mai Wah Society and Museum wi Have you visited the Mai Wah Society and Museum within the last year? If not, go check out the major restoration projects happening there! You'll notice windows have been restored, the vaulted sidewalks were repaired and the western wall has had extensive brick work done on it after receiving a grant from Partners in Preservation. PH433 . This summer is a great time to get out and explore your town of Butte. The Mai Wah Society & Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm. . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #MaiWahMuseum
Notice the banner at the top of this photograph ad Notice the banner at the top of this photograph advertising the State Log Rolling Picnic. The log rolling competition was hosted by the Modern Woodmen of America in Butte in 1904. The event was more than a log rolling competition and also had a button-sewing contest, an egg-sucking contest, a tug-of-war competition, a nail driving contest, as well as parade and a dance. An estimated 5,000 people attended the event at the Columbia Gardens. Smithers.46.140.36 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #ThisDayInHistory #LogRolling #ColumbiaGardens
On July 28, 1973 the Medical Arts Building caught On July 28, 1973 the Medical Arts Building caught fire. Originally known as the Owsley Block it was a Butte landmark. Over 30 businesses were housed in the building the night it caught fire. Approximately 10,000 spectators showed up to watch the blaze. Volunteer fire departments from around the city were called in to help as well as the fire departments from Opportunity and Anaconda. The building was a total loss. If you remember, share your stories about this devastating fire. Photo Number PH466 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #ThisDayInHistory #Fire
Did you know the Columbia Gardens was established Did you know the Columbia Gardens was established in 1884 by W. W. Adams? It was purchased in 1899 by W. A. Clark who put in an electric trolley service upon acquisition. You can learn more about W.A. Clark by touring the Copper King Mansion. Pictured today is Clark at the Columbia Gardens with newsboys. Smithers.47.011.0 . We will be featuring historical sites to visit in Butte as this is the perfect summer to explore your town and take in all the Butte has to offer! . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #ColumbiaGardens #RememberTheGardens #WAClark
The "Seeing Butte" Observation Car tour was first The "Seeing Butte" Observation Car tour was first offered in the summer of 1906. The Butte Miner reported the "passengers including residents of Butte... were enthusiastic over what they saw and showed much interest in the varied information given to them by the man behind the megaphone". While the transportation may have changed a bit, tours of Butte are still given daily during the summer on the Trolley through the Butte Chamber of Commerce! Hop a ride and learn about Butte's history from the man (or woman) behind the microphone! . Image today is the "Seeing Butte" Observation Car at the stack of the Butte Reduction Works on South Montana Street. Smithers.46.140.34 . This summer is the perfect time to explore your own backyard! . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #SeeingButte #Trolley
The Girl Scouts were formed in America in 1912. By The Girl Scouts were formed in America in 1912. By July of 1924 the Girl Scouts of Butte opened Camp Castle Rock at Little Basin Creek. It cost $3.00 to attend that first summer. Girl Scouts today, from all over the country, still venture to this camp every summer! Pictured today are girls participating in a variety of activities at camp, circa 1930. Smithers.73.002.26 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #GirlScouts #CampCastleRock
Check out this boy catching some air on the massiv Check out this boy catching some air on the massive slide at the Lowlands Boy Scout Camp! The first Boy Scouts in Butte were organized in 1910 and the organization is still active in the community today. Smithers.73.029.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #BoyScouts #WaterSlide
Pictured today is the Butte Citywide Horse Shoe To Pictured today is the Butte Citywide Horse Shoe Tournament in Hebgen Park (now Koprivica Park), circa 1926. Smithers.20.040.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #HorseShoes
The Archives is open by appointment only to mainta The Archives is open by appointment only to maintain proper social distancing within the building. Please call (406)782-3280 to make an appointment.
Today is National Ice Cream Day! We get a kick out Today is National Ice Cream Day! We get a kick out of this photo of a man feeding a baby Blanchard's Ice Cream. Blanchard's once advertised their ice cream as "the most nutritious food you could eat". Caption this photo for us! And as always, if you know who these people are please let us know. Smithers.73.079.03 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #IceCream #NationalIceCreamDay #IScreamYouScreamWeAllScreamForIceCream
Pictured today is Bill's Drive Inn with five carho Pictured today is Bill's Drive Inn with five carhops. Bill's operated from 1945 to 1954 when it was bought and became the Chuck Wagon. It was located at 2101 Harrison Avenue. Smithers.05.039.04 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #Carhop #DriveInn
In July of 1930 the Sunshine Camp opened for the c In July of 1930 the Sunshine Camp opened for the children of Butte. Originally started by the Lions Club it was taken over by the Butte Kiwanis Club in 1944. The camp is still owned by the Kiwanis Club of Butte but operated by the Butte Family YMCA. Did you attend the Sunshine Camp as a kid? Tell us your memories! Smithers.60.021.06 . . . #ButteMontana #SunshineCamp #SummerInButte
Teddy Traparish, owner of the famed Rocky Mountain Teddy Traparish, owner of the famed Rocky Mountain Cafe, bought a new Cadillac every year for almost 50 years with the exception of war time and 1948 when he bought a Lincoln, pictured here. Smithers.33.076.01 . . . #ButteMontana #SummerInButte #RockyMountainCafe #TeddyTraparish
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Butte, MT 59701
1-406-782-3280
bsbarchives@bsb.mt.gov
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