Butte in Silver Bow County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium
ButteAnaconda Historic District
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024
1. Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium Marker
When the original campus gymnasium became the Engineering Building in 1923, plans were begun for a replacement. This splendid facility was completed in 1925 at a cost of $125,000. A swimming pool, handball courts, showers, and locker rooms comprised the lower floor while the main floor offered a hardwood playing floor and seating for 2,500 spectators. The third level included a trophy room, dressing room, lavatories, and a hardwood running track. Well-lighted, ventilated tunnels conveniently connected the gymnasium with other campus buildings; the tunnels are still in use today. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style like its neighbors, distinctive stylistic elements include an arcaded entry, decorative terra cotta diamonds below the cornice, and a contrasting foundation. Copper shingles with rolled and crimped copper roofing at the peak originally covered the hipped roof. Of particular interest is the football-player gargoyle sporting a vintage uniform over the main entrance. In 1980, a carefully matched addition at the rear expanded the facility, and the interior was completely remodeled to three conventional levels
this page online
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Notable Buildings • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 46° 0.726′ N, 112° 33.405′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is on Montrose Avenue just south of West Park Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the east/front facade of the subject building, on the right side of the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 West Park 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,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024
2. Montana Tech Gymnasium Entrance Arcade
The marker is mounted on the right side of the arcade. The vintage football-player gargoyle is above the center arch.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montana Tech Campus Engineering Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Tech Campus President's Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Tech Campus (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana Tech Campus Mill Building (about 300 feet away); Montana Tech Campus Main Hall (about 300 feet away); Montana Tech Campus Residence Halls (about 400 feet away); History of the M (about 400 feet away); Montana Tech Gateway Arch (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.
Regarding Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium. The Montana Tech Gymnasium is a contributing property in ButteAnaconda Historic District, National Register of Historic Places № 66000438.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Derek Strahn, 1/2006:
The Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology is a formal ca. 1900 campus, located on the edge of Butte's west side. It overlooks the city of Butte from itsperch on the ridge sloping down from Big Butte. The historic design of the campus is highly intact and is centered around substantial nineteenth-century brick buildings that date to the founding of the school. The campus with its stately buildings and mature trees can be seen from much of the city. Montana Tech, reflecting the primary role of industrial education in the NHL district, retains a high level of integrity within its historic core. A mature campus setting is well preserved, where courtyards, conifers and brick buildings create a contemplative atmosphere for study. The historic campus design and buildings form the center of and dominate the complex. They are a strong symbol of the abiding ties of this college to the advancement of deep mining, and its importance to the Butte-Anaconda Historic District.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 20243. Montana Tech Gymnasium (northeast elevation)Montana Tech had its origins in the Enabling Act of 1889, and its provision of federal land grants to new states, for the purposes of establishing mining schools. Montana's legislature located the state's School of Mines in Butte, and the mining city enthusiastically supported the institution, donating land for the campus and coming to the school's aid financially during its early history. The first class graduated in 1903, launching its long tradition as one of the country's leading programs in mining engineering, with emphasis on mineral sciences and deep mining.
Also see . . .
1. Science and Engineering Hall (Story of Butte).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024
4. Montana Tech Gymnasium (southeast elevation)
Today this building houses the Science and Engineering Hall.
(By Story of Butte & Lindsay Mulcahy) Excerpt: This site was first home to barracks for the Student Army Training Corps during World War I. When the war ended, the barracks were converted into what was described as a freshman drawing room and a physics laboratory and office. However, in the winter of 1920 McKinley Elementary caught fire, leaving students with no classrooms. The barracks were quickly repurposed into classrooms for the children in the upper grades.(Submitted on August 17, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In 1923, the original campus gymnasium became the Engineering Building, and a new gymnasium was needed. The gymnasium was completed in 1925, and included a swimming pool, handball courts, running track, showers, and locker rooms, as well as a hardwood playing floor with seating for 2,500 spectators. The building was connected via a tunnel to the neighboring building to the south, which is still used by students today. There was also a tunnel that led from the locker rooms to Leonard Field, allowing football players to make a grand entrance during home games. In 1980, the building was added onto and remodeled into three conventional levels for classroom use.
2. Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium (Montana Historical Society).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024
5. Science & Engineering Addition
This circa 1980 3-story addition spans the west/back side of the historic gymnasium.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
