Silver Bow County, Montana

(Butte) City Hall (William A.) Clark Mansion 100 South Excelsior 123 North Main Street 125 North Main 125 West Copper 125-134 South Main 13 West Broadway 134 West Broadway 301 North Crystal 303 West Park 315 West Broadway 321 West Galena 409 Alaska 410 W. Granite 412 W. Broadway 414 West Granite 423-425 West Mercury 431 West Mercury 510 West Galena 611 North Main Street 633 West Quartz 803 West Granite 803 West Park 805 West Granite 815 West Granite 815-817 West Mercury 821 West Granite 822-824 West Park 823 West Park 825 West Park 827 West Park 831 West Granite 832 West Park 833 West Quartz 834 West Quartz 923 West Mercury Anaconda Road Andrew Jackson Davis Home Boucher-Walker Home Butte Butte Butte Buick Company/Schumacher Building Butte Daily Post Building Butte Miner Building - Butte Floral Company Butte Miner's #1 Union Hall Butte National Historic Landmark District Butte Telephone Company Butte Tin Shop Butte-Anaconda Historic District Butte-Anaconda Historic District Butte-Anaconda-Walkerville Butte's Underground Mines B'nai Israel Temple Campana Building Carpenters' Union Hall Charles Walker Clark Mansion Chope Residence Corby Residence Curtis Music Hall Dr. Donald Campbell Residence Duggan Residence Dumas Hotel E.B. Craney Ellis and Martha Passmore Residence Emanuel Lutheran Church Eugene Carroll House Evans Residence Finlen Hotel First Baptist Church First Church of Christ, Scientist First National Bank, Butte First Presbyterian Church Forbis Block Forestell Flats From The Ashes Galbraith Residence H. Fred and Sophia Gamer Residence Harry D'Acheul Residence Harry W. Turner House Hawke Residence Hennessy Building Henry Jacobs House Hirbour Block Hodgens/Ryan Home Imperial Block Ivanhoe Block J.L. Morris Building James H. Rowe Residence James Naughten Residence John Benton Leggat Residence John E. Davis Home John Gillie Home Keep Watching The Skies! Kelly Block Knights of Columbus Largey Flats Lawlor & Rowe Insurance Company Len Waters Music Leonard Apartments Lynch Residence M.J. Connell House Mantle / Henderson & Bielenberg Building Mantle Block Masonic Temple Masonic Temple Annex-Fox Theatre Mayer Building Meaderville Metals Bank Building Mountain View Church Parsonage Mountain View Methodist Episcopal Church Mueller Apartments Newton/McCrimmon House Original City Hall Owsley Block Paul Clark Home Paumie Block Pay Gold Pekin Noodle Parlor Pleasant Alley Pleasant Alley and the Copper Block Plutons and the Humbug Spires Powers Residence Push Saloon/Silver Dollar Saloon Quartz Street Fire Station Renick House Rookwood Hotel Salvation Army Building School District #1 Administration Building Scott Block Scovil Residence Silver Bow Club Silver Bow County Courthouse Silver Bow County Jail Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial St. James Hospital Nurses Dormitory St. John's Episcopal Church St. Joseph's Catholic Church St. Mary's Church St. Patrick's Catholic Church St. Patrick's Convent St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal (South) Church The Auditor The Boulder Batholith and the Richest Hill on Earth The Con Headframe The Lillie The Lynching of Frank Little The Napton The Original (Mine) The Steward Thomas Block Thomas Lavell Residence Thompson Park Thornton Block Thornton Hotel Tuttle Building Virginia Apartments W.A. Clark Carriage House W.A. Clark Jr. Home Wah Chong Tai Company Building and Mai Wah Noodle Parlors Walker's Welcome! To the Top of the World William Symons Residence Wynne-Conroy Residence Y.M.C.A.
Silver Bow County, Montana has a rich and diverse history that showcases the importance of mining in the region. The county was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shoshone and Bannock. In the mid-1800s, the discovery of silver ore led to a significant influx of miners and settlers, ultimately leading to the formation of Silver Bow County in 1881.

The town of Butte, located in Silver Bow County, quickly became the economic hub of the region due to its abundant mineral resources. Copper and silver mining boomed, attracting immigrants from all over the world. By the late 19th century, Butte was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the American West, known as "The Richest Hill on Earth."

During the early 20th century, labor strife and working conditions in the mines became major issues in Silver Bow County. Strikes and conflicts between miners and mine owners were common. The most notable event was the Anaconda Road Massacre in 1914, where striking miners clashed with company-hired guards, resulting in the deaths of miners and innocent bystanders.

In the mid-20th century, the decline of the mining industry caused economic challenges for Silver Bow County. Many mines closed, leading to a loss of jobs and population decline. However, the county has since diversified its economy, focusing on healthcare, education, and tourism. Today, Silver Bow County offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities that attract visitors from far and wide.
Brief timeline of the history of Silver Bow County, Montana:

  • 1864: The Montana Territory is established, including what is now Silver Bow County.
  • 1864-1875: The area experiences a silver mining boom, leading to the development of several mining camps.
  • 1875: Silver Bow County is officially organized.
  • 1879: The town of Butte is established as a mining town.
  • 1881: Daly Mine, one of the most productive silver mines, begins operations.
  • 1889: Montana becomes a state, and Silver Bow County is part of the new state.
  • 1903: Butte experiences a major fire that destroys much of the city, but it quickly rebuilds.
  • 1920s: Butte becomes the largest city in Montana, thanks to its mining and industrial activities.
  • 1982: The Berkeley Pit, an open-pit copper mine, closes, leading to a decline in mining activities.
  • Present: Silver Bow County continues to be home to a diverse economy, including healthcare, education, and tourism.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Silver Bow County, Montana.