Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

125 West Copper

Butte National Historic Landmark District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

1. 125 West Copper Marker

Inscription. A row of small one-story dwellings occupied the west half of this block in 1884. By 1900, the James McBride family was in residence. Like most of his immediate neighbors, James was a miner born in Ireland. He and his wife Margaret—a native of Kerry, Ireland—had four children. By 1910, mining had taken its toll leaving Margaret a widow. The family took in boarders and, like many miners’ widows, Margaret worked as a laundress and ironer to support her family. By 1920, she owned the property. After Margaret’s death in 1948, extended family continued housekeeping here into the 1950s. Despite its small size, the frame cottage housed numerous family members on the first floor, in the daylight basement, and in a tiny cabin that once stood at the rear. The unfinished attic also likely served as sleeping space. Although the neighborhood is now much more sparsely populated, the steel headframe towering behind West Copper Street is a sober reminder of the industry that bound its first residents together.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 46° 0.964′ N, 112° 32.332′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on West Copper Street near North Montana Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 West Copper Street, Butte MT 59701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically outhwest Montana, in Gold West Country, in Mining Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 409 Alaska (within shouting distance of this marker); Mountain View Church Parsonage (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

125 West Copper House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 12, 2021

2. 125 West Copper House and Marker

Mountain View Methodist Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away); Silver Bow County Jail (about 400 feet away); First Church of Christ, Scientist (about 400 feet away); Scott Block (about 500 feet away); Quartz Street Fire Station (about 600 feet away); Butte-Anaconda Historic District (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.