Story of Butte

06/05/2026

On June 5, Irish nationalists organized a thousand-strong antiwar and anti-draft demonstration in front of the Federal Building. The protest soon turned into a large clash with the police. Yet again, the governor imposed martial law on the city. The antiwar organizers were also involved in a simultaneous effort to reconstitute a miners’ union. Seeing the suppression of the antiwar demonstration as a deliberate attack on labor organizing, Butte unionists sent out calls for help to other unionists, including the Industrial Workers of the World. The IWW, seeing Butte’s situation as vital to its cause, chose to send in one of its most experienced organizers: Frank Little.
Read more about the outcome on our Frank Little Tour!
https://storyofbutte.org/items/show/3413

Union organizers saw suppression of the antiwar demonstration as an attack on labor organizing. The IWW sent one of its most experienced organizers to Butte: Frank Little.

06/04/2026

Mrs. Lillie, as many tenants knew her, managed this apartment building from her first-floor unit for nearly fifty years. Architect Marin D. Kern designed the building in 1908 for Lillie and her husband John R. Ross. It was originally two stories with open front porches.

Mrs. Lillie, as many tenants knew her, managed this apartment building from her first-floor unit for nearly fifty years. Architect Marin D. Kern designed the building in 1908 for Lillie and her…

06/01/2026

In 1905, young New England attorney Burton Wheeler stepped off the train at Butte to stretch his legs, lost his money in a poker game, and decided to stay. Courtroom success quickly earned Wheeler a solid reputation. Read more about his interesting political career:

In 1905, young New England attorney Burton Wheeler stepped off the train at Butte to stretch his legs, lost his money in a poker game, and decided to stay. Courtroom success quickly earned Wheeler a…

06/01/2026

05/27/2026

John D. Ryan purchased the home in 1905. Ryan rose from a lowly oil drummer to president of the Daly Bank and was the only man to ever serve as president of both the Anaconda Company and the Montana Power Company, which he helped form in 1912. As director of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, Ryan initiated the railroad’s electrification in 1916.

Thomas Hodgens, who held the prestigious position of cashier at the State Savings Bank, was the first owner of this magnificent T-shaped Classical Revival style residence built in 1899. Second owner…

05/27/2026

A beautiful, historic home can be yours!

05/25/2026

When Mount Moriah Cemetery was established in 1877, it originally consisted of four blocks: A, B, C, and D. Block A was designated for the Masons, and Block B for the Odd Fellows, who co-founded the cemetery. Block C served the general public, while Block D was used to bury members of the Chinese community until 1889, after which Chinese burials were moved to the west of the main cemetery grounds. At its inception, Mount Moriah was the only cemetery in Butte that welcomed citizens regardless of race, religion, or nationality.

When Mount Moriah Cemetery was established in 1877, it originally consisted of four blocks: A, B, C, and D. Block A was designated for the Masons, and Block B for the Odd Fellows, who co-founded the…

05/22/2026

Our cemetery tour includes the 5 existing cemeteries, as well as history of some of the "lost" cemeteries. There are so many beautiful grave markers and stories to explore this Memorial Day weekend, or maybe in the near future once they're adorned with flowers.

Settlement in Butte began in 1864 with the discovery of gold, but the boom was short-lived. The discovery of silver in the 1870s and copper in the 1880s transformed Butte into the “Richest Hill on Earth,” with its population peaking at nearly 100,000…

05/20/2026

The publisher of copper king W.A. Clark’s newspaper, the Butte Miner, used this space as a printing office from 1884. In 1906, Butte florist James King partly demolished the older structure and erected this unique two-story building. The green-glazed brick and exotic Moorish revival arched windows provide an excellent example of this building trend.
Floral Co.

This building once housed the Butte Miner, copper king William Clark's newspaper.

05/18/2026

Butte’s location where railway main lines radiated in the four cardinal directions made it a destination or stopping point for passengers, some famous and most unremarked. For six decades, presidents and candidates for that office paused or stopped at Butte’s passenger stations. Trains brought the stars of drama, music, and vaudeville whose fame filled entertainment venues of uptown Butte. Wild West shows featuring “Buffalo Bill” Cody required several trains to carry the hundreds of people and horses who performed on Butte Flat three times between 1908 and 1914.