BUTTE

It was snowing when I arrived in Butte. I stayed at the historic Hotel Finlen. It was modeled after the Hotel Astor in New York.
Since it was an old hotel (construction was completed New Year's Day of 1924), the rooms had a very nostalgic feel. It was like going back in time, somewhat like when I stayed at the Bluebird Motel in Tucumcari the previous year.
Just in case you didn't know where it was, there's a big sign on the roof.
The lobby remains a throwback to an earlier era.
There were a couple of display cases featuring some of the history of the hotel. The photo in the middle is of Senator John F. Kennedy taken March 8, 1959. That would have been before he announced his candidacy for president, so maybe he was just visiting for some reason.
The mezzanine level had sofas where I imagine people in the olden days might have relaxed and smoked while chatting with other guests.
There isn't really much to see in Butte, but one 'attraction' is at the end of this tunnel.
It is the Berkeley Pit. It was an open pit copper mine that closed in 1982. While it was operational there were pumps that kept groundwater from filling the underground workings. When the pumps were shut off when the mine closed, the water started flowing back into the pit.
Due to high levels of copper, cadmium and arsenic, the water is extremely toxic. Flocks of birds that have landed in the pit have died. I heard booms and sirens while I visited that I thought were related to a nearby mine but were actually to scare away birds. I couldn't tell what this thing was in the water, but I guarantee it was not a living thing.
There is an active mine just next to the Berkeley Pit.
This is actually the Belmont Senior Center, but I believe it used to be a building that was associated with the Belmont Mine, which was owned by the previously mentioned Anaconda Copper Mining Company.
Alright, now more pictures of old buildings. This was once the Thornton Hotel.
Over the doors it say The Salvation Army and there is an old painted logo on the side, so I am going to say this used to be the Salvation Army building.
Part of what I do with these pictures is research things about them when I get home. I found that the Wright's Pharmacy sign painted on the side of the building is the oldest such sign in Butte, dating back to 1898. The sign was protected from the elements when an addition to the building was erected in 1900, but the addition was removed about twenty years ago following a fire.
Much of the historic district is made up of abandoned buildings. Even though lots of them are boarded up, at least they haven't been knocked down.
Sometimes I think I should have been an architect. I mean a classic building facade is more art than those wacky sculpture things I found in the woods.
The Metals Bank Building was completed in 1906. It was a reflection on Butte's growing wealth. It is now occupied by condos and some businesses at street level.
The old City Hall was used as such until 1977. The historical marker says construction was in 1891 but the year 1890 is over the center doorway arch.
The Napton apartment building was constructed in 1906. It was home to Butte's professional class back in the day.
Alright, enough old buildings. Time for dinner. Sparky's Garage was just a couple of blocks away from the hotel.
Inside the restaurant is a bunch of other old things. I like old things.
Poky the Clown will haunt your dreams.

NEXT