Butte

Butte, together with its consolidated county of Silver Bow, is located high in the Rockies of southwestern Montana where it straddles the Continental Divide.

A copper boomtown, Butte was once one of the largest cities west of the Mississippi. Often called “the richest hill on earth,” Butte’s mining heritage shaped its history and culture. Copper mining continues today. Butte attracted thousands of immigrants, primarily from Ireland, but elsewhere from around the world, contributing to Montana’s rich food scene. With  over 5,000 contributing properties, uptown Butte’s historic district is the largest National Historic Landmark District in the United States. Butte hosts several nationally known events, including its St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Montana Folk Festival, the An Ri Ra Irish festival, and Evel Knievel Days. Butte is also home to Montana Tech, known for its globally renowned engineering programs, in addition to several prominent Montana companies/employers, including NorthWestern Energy and Town Pump.