Butte, America - The Last Best Place I Can Hide

BY JASON SILVERNALE

Christy Hays - singer, song writer, and resident of Walkerville - paints a vivid portrait of the Mining City in her 2018 single, “Town Underground”. Butte, Montana, once home to nearly 100,000 residents nearly a century ago, now holds steady at a population around 35,000.

Founded as a placer gold mining camp in the 1860’s, Butte quickly developed into the center of underground mining activity for Montana and the American West. Historically, most mining-centric communities go through many “boom & bust” periods - Butte being no exception to this standard. The first large boom being the discovery of rich silver deposits in the 1870’s, producing roughly 28 million troy ounces until the Panic of 1893 sent prices plummeting and people fleeing across the area. It is said that up to 3,000 residents from the town of Granite (nearby Phillipsburg) left in one day when their mine shut down. However, “The Richest Hill on Earth” was heavy in metal deposits of a material that was soon to be integral in the modernization of the world and the war efforts in Europe - Copper. Butte became the world’s leading producer of copper through the middle of the 20th century and accounted for roughly 50% of the U.S. Domestic Supply and around 25% of the World’s Supply

of the increasingly important material. With that surge of activity came businessmen, workers, and development that shaped the face of Butte, Montana, today. However, after the middle of the 20th Century, the Anaconda Company who controlled mining activity in the area shifted its focus from underground mining to open pit mining - which required less workers. Ultimately, mining operations as the city knew them to that point, ceased in the Summer of 1983 - sending the area into economic shock and collapse. Butte has slowly, but surely, rebounded over the last forty years with diversification in its economy.

What the town lacks in population, it makes up for with its rich architectural heritage, history, and sense of community. And although it may not be as busy as neighboring Montana cities - there are plenty of activities and opportunities to keep visitors and residents alike entertained. Headline events such as the Montana Folk Festival, An Ri Ra, and SnowFlinga bring thousands of visitors, while more localized cultural events hosted at the Carpenters Union Hall, MotherLode Theater, and various public establishments provide consistent attractions. (continues on page 18)

If you’re a lover of history and architectural diversity, the Mining City’s tapestry of historic properties and the post-industrial landscape will leave you awestruck. Butte is the heart of the largest National Historic Landmark District in the American West due to its unique urban development and contributions to history from the late 19th century through the mid 20th century. The district includes just under 6,000 contributing properties that are spread across roughly 10,000 acres of South West Montana landscape. The original designation of a historic district was established in 1961 and later expanded to the current boundaries - which include portions of Butte, Walkerville, Anaconda, the BA&P Rail Line, and various sites inbetween.

A truly unique aspect of this historic district is the overall architectural diversity and the level of authenticity left intact.

Most would assume that residential architecture in a western mining town would be overwhelmingly dominated with humble, vernacular homes. While there is no lack of four square cottages and worker dwellings, a surprising amount of Queen Anne, Craftsman, Renaissance Revival, Spanish Revival, and Colonial Revival structures coexist within the landmark district - often dispersed within the same neighborhood or even block as utilitarian builds. A wonderful example of this architectural tapestry is a multi block stretch of West Granite Street starting with the Copper King Mansion - a 34 room residence once home to mining baron & state senator William Andrew Clarka stunning Romanesque Revival specimen. As you travel west, you encounter Second Empire, Vernacular, Four Square, Bay Fronted Flats, Neo-Classical, Queen Anne and Italianate residences blended into a patchwork of texture that could only be possible in Butte, America.

Both a blessing and a curse, preservation by neglect, has played a large role in the survival of certain facades and architectural elements that may have otherwise been lost over the course of time. Because the Mining City has seen periods of economic hardship, updating buildings was often put on the back burner in place of keeping food on the table or the utilities turned on.

While deferred maintenance undeniably harmed many structures, lack of updating also prevented unsightly and trendy alterations - providing an original palette and roadmap for current owners revitalizing their homes. This authentic atmosphere has provided an ideal backdrop for film and television projects, including Paramount’s acclaimed installment in the Yellowstone Franchise - “1923”.

The allure of living in and renovating historic homes has picked up substantial steam nationwide among a broad range of demographics over the last several years; Butte being no exception. Unique details such as built-ins, decorative moldings, hardwood flooring, stained glass windows, and pocket doors have caught the attention of many accustomed to run of the mill tract housing or spec home construction that lacks any sense of individuality or soul. The act of preserving history and finding purpose in playing an active role in a structures timeline has also fueled interest in historic homes among prospective homebuyers. Renovation activity has ticked up substantially within the historic landmark district with homeowners and investors seeing the value and importance of revitalizing these buildings and neighborhoods. Visible investment has ranged from long overdue roof replacements and painting projects to full rehabilitations of residential and commercial structures the local city/county government once considered blight and urban decay. (continues on page 20)

Community & Affordability

The Richest Hill on Earth has been a “melting pot” community from its early roots. Signage within the mines was created in nearly 20 different languages and ethnic neighborhoods sprung up across the hill. Regardless of heritage or nationality, the people of Butte have always banded together in times both good and bad. Undeniably Blue Collar From neighborhood grocers of yesteryear carrying tabs during long union strikes to today’s community action groups spearheading fundraisers and civic campaigns to improve the quality of life in Butte, this community perched a mile above sea level is just that - a community.

As of late, the Mining City has caught the attention of many looking for options of affordable living in an ever increasing SouthWest

Montana real estate market. Like most Montana communities, historic home values saw historic gains during the “Great Migration”, which brought a new pool of home buyers consisting of remote workers and those escaping dense population centers to more rural areas of the nation. However, median home values in Butte (as of August of 2023) are roughly 45% less compared to Helena (North), roughly 50% less compared to Missoula (West), and roughly 65% less compared to Bozeman (East). Although not necessarily commonplace, 2023 has seen livable properties in Butte brought to market with an offering price of under $100,000.

While many communities in Montana have lost their feeling of authenticity, Butte has retained its independent spirit, making it a destination for those yearning to find a bit of Montana’s past while also seeking a spot to start anew. The Mining City might just be the last best place to call home in the Big Sky Country.