Butte, America: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Gave Butte a Chance
Prior to my first trip to Butte, I did not have the greatest impression of the city. The mere mention of it usually elicits a negative reaction from many Montanans, and usually a crack about the drinking water or the pit. I had heard from some that it is awesome…but only on St. Patty’s Day (read: there’s alcohol everywhere and open containers are allowed). But I recently spent the night in Butte and have learned the town gets a bad rap. So while the town (and your Facebook and Instagram feed) recover from yesterday’s drunken revelry, I wanted to share a list of 5 reasons besides St. Patty’s day to love Butte.
1. Headframes Distillery
via Billings Gazette
Who doesn’t enjoy a good distillery? Headframes – named after the quintessential mining structures – can be found in the historic district of Butte. The bar section is a classy joint with an open view into the distillery, a kick-ass bloody Mary bar on Sundays, and home to five tasty liquors, each named after a mine in Butte. You may have heard of the Orphan Girl cream liqueur, which was is a heavenly match with root beer. It is definitely worth a visit. Or if you don’t feel like driving, here is their website: http://www.headframespirits.com/home/
2. Evel Knievel
Butte is the birthplace of Evel Knievel and home to the Evel Knievel Days, an annual festival in July. I feel that I shouldn’t have to explain how badass Evel Knievel was; the man has sustained more than 430 bone fractures in his life. I’m hypothesizing that his Butte upbringing had something to do with his combination of toughness and ballsiness. http://evelknieveldays.org/
3. Butte, America used to be the Shit
Back in the day, Butte used to be a hoppin’ place. At its peak in the 1920s, it boasted a population up to 100,000. The city was centered on the booming mining industry and was ground zero in the battle between the Copper Kings. Butt’es mines attracted throngs of immigrants looking for jobs and turned Butte into a bustling melting pot. If you were living out West in the early 1900s, Butte was the place to be. Here’s the website with more cool Butte facts to impress your friends with at parties: http://www.buttecvb.com/history/
4. Fairmont Hot Springs (aka don’t waterslide at home like an idiot)
This hot springs was a popular destination for the weekend excursions of my childhood. With indoor and outdoor pools/hot tubs, a waterslide, and a full blown resort, this is suitable for couples, families with small children, the elderly…so just about everyone. They also have relaxed rules when it comes to beverage in the pool, so you can swing by the resort bar and head to the outdoor hot tub to soak with a beer in hand. While this is not technically IN Butte, it’s only a 20 minute drive away. http://www.fairmontmontana.com/
5. People from Butte are Great
Okay, hear me out on this one… Think what you will of the people of Butte, but they are definitely proud of where they come from. I had an elementary school teacher from Butte that was both frightening and the sweetest lady ever. She used to tell stories of Butte with such fondest that only someone born and raised there could have for that town. Also, two of my best friends are from Butte – if you guys are reading this, you know who you are, and there are two of the most loyal and hard-working people I know. Also, let’s not forget the badass who KILLED OSAMA BIN LADEN (!) is a Butte guy. I’m not saying that everyone from Butte is great; I am saying that some of the best people in my life are from that town, and being proud of where you come from should always be something positive.
Take my advice and give Butte a chance. You definitely don’t have to wait until next March.
The author of this article is Courtney Lake. She is a freelance writer for the Montana Mint.
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