Granite Mountain Memorial | Butte

Information

Landmark: Granite Mountain Memorial
City: Butte
Country: USA Montana
Continent: North America

Granite Mountain Memorial, Butte, USA Montana, North America

The Granite Mountain Memorial is a memorial site located in Butte, Montana, USA.

It commemorates the miners lost in the 1917 Granite Mountain Mine fire.

Visual Characteristics

The memorial features a large, rough-hewn granite obelisk, approximately 60 feet in height. The base is a circular concrete structure. The names of the 162 miners who perished are inscribed on bronze plaques affixed to the obelisk's surface. The surrounding area is characterized by sparse, native Montana vegetation.

Location & Access Logistics

The Granite Mountain Memorial is situated approximately 3 miles west of Butte's central business district. Access is via Continental Drive, which branches off Montana State Highway 2. The memorial is clearly signposted from Continental Drive. A dedicated gravel parking lot is available at the site, accommodating approximately 20 vehicles. No public transport services directly reach the memorial.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The memorial was constructed in 1917, shortly after the Granite Mountain Mine fire. It was designed by local Butte architect, John J. Horgan. The original purpose was to honor and remember the miners who died in the catastrophic underground fire, one of the deadliest hard rock mining disasters in U.S. history.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe the inscribed names of the fallen miners. The site offers a vantage point for viewing the surrounding landscape. Reflection and remembrance are the primary activities.

Infrastructure & Amenities

A small gravel parking area is present. No restrooms, shade structures, or food vendors are located at the memorial site. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available but can be intermittent.

Best Time to Visit

For optimal lighting on the granite and inscriptions, late afternoon (approximately 3 PM to 5 PM) is recommended. The months of May through October offer the most favorable weather conditions, with less snow and ice.

Facts & Legends

A local anecdote suggests that on quiet evenings, the wind whistling through the nearby hills can sound like the echoes of miners' voices. The memorial is situated on land that was once part of the vast mining operations that defined Butte's economy.