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

Town Pump Trail

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

1. Town Pump Trail Marker

Inscription.
It All Started Right Here....
The Town Pump legacy began in 1953 just across the creek. The first Town Pump was a small A-frame full-service gas station. Founded by Tom and Mary Ann Kenneally, this station was the first of what has become one of Montana's most successful companies. In recognition of the historical significance of this area to Town Pump and the Kenneally Family, and as a way to give back to the community that has meant so much to the company, Town Pump donated the land for this section of the walking trail. The Town Pump Trail extends from this point to Texas Avenue, about one-half mile east. The trail, completed in 2005, is part of the Butte Trails System and was dedicated the Town Pump Trail in 2007.

How Town Pump Got Its Name
Town Pump’s philosophy dates to the 1930s, when founder Tom Kenneally Sr. was working as a youngster in the ranching community of Helmville, northwest of Butte. Not everyone had a water pump or electricity, so many of the 150 residents shared one water pump. “Everyone in town, as well as visiting ranchers, depended on the little water pump. It was a vital necessity for the survival

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of the community. It had to operate properly without regard to darkness, snow and drought because water was needed for everyone every day of the year. The “Town Pump” always did its duty for all who were in need.”

[photo captions]
• The photo above shows the original Town Pump in 1953.
• The photo at left shows the founders, Tom and Mary Ann Kenneally.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 46° 0.07′ N, 112° 31.135′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It can be reached from Harrison Avenue (Business Interstate 15/90) just east of Olympia Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is beside the trail, which runs along the south side of the Butte Civic Center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1340 Harrison Avenue, 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

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

2. Town Pump Trail Marker

Looking south from the trail. The marker overlooks the original Town Pump site, currently a modern Town Pump fuel and convenience store location.

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: Northern Pacific Locomotive 25 (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph's Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); Socialist Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mining The Berkeley Pit 1955-1982 (approx. ¾ mile away); The Berkeley Pit: The Water Returns (approx. ¾ mile away); The Berkeley Pit Threatens the Water (approx. ¾ mile away); Butte Mining Through the Years (approx. ¾ mile away); Milwaukee Depot (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Also see . . . Town Pump History (Town Pump website).

Excerpt: In 1953, Tom and Mary Kenneally started Town Pump as a small full-service gas station in Butte, Montana. Town Pump operates full service unbranded gas stations located in separate markets and in separate towns.
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The separate market strategy allowed for greater protection from price fluctuations and price wars. Founder Tom Kenneally Sr. would hand his customers his wristwatch to time his oil change - guaranteed to take less than 3 minutes or the oil change was free!
In 1966, Town Pump was the first gas station in Montana to offer Self-Service gasoline and the first to install bill acceptors directly into the gas pumps. With the addition of Self-Service, Town Pump was able to sell a higher volume at lower prices in order to cover their margins. Today approximately 97% of all gasoline sales in Montana are made via the Self-Service model. The Kenneallys saw self-service as an opportunity to be more competitive by offering something new. At the time this was a very risky undertaking as most people said it was ludicrous. Many were convinced that there would be explosions due to untrained individuals handling this combustible product. Today, Town Pump owns and operates over 200 gas station/convenience store, casino, hotel and car wash properties throughout Montana and Idaho.

(Submitted on August 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.