Toad Hall Manor

“Mountain Weekend”, in the June issue of Sunset Magazine suggests Butte, Montana as an interesting weekend trip.  Butte is regarded as a place to see the “Real Montana”, it being one of the most authentic and interesting places, roughly half way between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  The article touches on the views, shopping, eateries and history of the town.  Our Butte Montana bed and breakfast, is suggested as a place to stay.

Butte Folk Fest Musicians

The 72nd National Folk Festival will be in Historic Uptown Butte on July 9-11.  This year’s theme “Western Crossroads” will spotlight Butte’s mining heritage along with the urbanization and growth of the West, leading to the 20th Century.  The National Folk Festival will feature performances and demonstrations by over 250 of the nation’s finest musicians, dancers, and craftspeople.  There will be seven stages and several theme areas:  The Montana Folklife area, The Family area, two Festival Marketplaces, and the Festival Food Courts. Admission is free to everyone. We hope you will choose our friendly Butte lodging while you enjoy the festival.

Old Butte Train Depot 1916

In its heyday, Butte was a thriving mining town. Prospectors came in search of gold and silver, and they found it. Yet it wasn’t until the demand for copper grew – thanks to the advent of electricity – that Butte became one of the most prosperous towns in the country.

Men traveled from all over the country and the world to work the copper mines of Butte. From the end of the 19th century to the end of World War II, the mines continued to produce and wealth continued to flow into town. Changing markets and the switch to open pit mining in the 1950s led to the end of the mining boom in Butte.

Today people travel to Butte for many reasons. They delve into the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains that surround it, study its history, and take advantage of its many great cultural offerings. Come stay at our Lodging Butte and discover all that is irresistible about this Montana town.

There are many sites in and around Butte that reveal its fascinating past. All are close to our Butte Lodging. What follows are a few of our favorites.

The Charles Clark Chateau Museum is housed in the 1898 mansion built by the eldest son of Copper King (and U.S. Senator) W.A. Clark. The magnificence of the mansion is a testament to the great wealth produced by the copper mines. Both rotating and permanent exhibits showcase national and local artists and 19th century furniture. The Copper King Mansion, built in 1888, is also worth a tour.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Dumas Brothel Museum reveals a grittier side of the mining town. Located in the (former) Red Light District on Mercury Street, it was in operation for nearly 100 years, from 1890 to 1982. It has been closed for repairs, but is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2010.

The environmental impact of all that mining is also worth exploring while in Butte. Close to Uptown Butte, the Anselmo Mine Yard is a fascinating showcase of underground mining technology. Nearby on Continental Drive, The Berkeley Pit is a result of years of open pit mining practices. Stand on the Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand and gaze at a landscape deeply connected to its history. It’s good to know that, just as the community supported mining in the past, so it supports environmental restoration today.

Of course, don’t forget to treat yourself well while in Butte. If you feel tired from all your sightseeing, pull up a chair to take in the view of the Rockies, or take advantage of the massage therapy available at our Butte Inn. It’s what the Copper Magnates would have done.

Our Lady of the Rockies

Most guests of our Butte inn ask us about the impressive statue of the Virgin Mary that stands high above our town. We are always happy to talk about her; she has a unique story behind her, and her existence reveals something about our community.

Our Lady of the Rockies sits atop the Continental Divide, 3,500 feet above Butte Montana. Her serene gaze has looked out over Butte since December, 1985 – a testament to the hard work of the volunteers who created her. She is the second largest statue in the United States, and the largest Madonna in the country. She is a tribute to women everywhere, especially mothers.

The idea for her first came to a local man whose wife was seriously ill with cancer; he had promised the Virgin Mary that he would build a statue in honor of her if his wife recovered. When his wife did recover, the man fulfilled his promise – with the help of many members of his community. The statue ended up being much larger than originally planned, and in a much more public location.

From her perch at 8510 ft above sea level, she presides over the Rockies and our town. People from all over contribute to keep her lit at night, and in so doing they create a memorial to someone they love. Even folks who are not religious have a hard time not being touched in her presence. She is love.

So be sure to look for Our Lady of the Rockies when you are heading to our Butte lodging. Night or day, she is there. She is part of what makes Butte a special place.