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

Engineering Above and Below Ground

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

1. Engineering Above and Below Ground Marker

Inscription.
Montana Tech
Montana Tech of the University of Montana is recognized by many as one of the finest small engineering and technology colleges in the United States. Originally the Montana State School of Mines, the institution opened in 1900, with curriculum centered around two degrees: mining engineering and electrical engineering. Montana Tech has evolved into a dynamic institution comprised of 30 academic programs and an enrollment of more than 2,200 students. The school, referred to by some as “Harvard on the Hill,” places a centered focus on achievement and is consistently recognized as being among the top 10 percent of American academic institutions. Located in the heart of the mountains of Southwestern Montana, the 58-acre Montana Tech campus overlooks the Mining City from the shoulder of Big Butte. The tree-shaded perimeter of the campus, an outstanding place to view the city sights, encloses both the stately buildings of the institution's past and the modern facilities reflecting its present and its future.

“See Butte in all its glory when it’s lit up. Prettiest, prettiest ride you ever took was on the hill coming
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down. It was a beautiful site of Butte wasn’t it?.”
—Kevin Shannon, switchman B.A. & P. Ry., retired.

“Oh yeah, you come all the way around the mountain, and you could see all of Butte. I loved to work up here because you could see all of Butte, it was just a nice atmosphere I thought, to work up here amongst all the mines.”
—Leno Bazzanella, engineer B.A. & P. Ry., retired.

Erected by Montana's Copperway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 46° 0.732′ N, 112° 33.288′ W. Marker is in Butte, Montana, in Silver Bow County. It is at the intersection of West Park Street and North Western Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Park Street. The marker is on the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific (BA&P) Hill Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 6, 2024

2. Engineering Above and Below Ground Marker

Looking east from the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific (BA&P) Hill Trail. The marker is mounted above a bench alongside the trail. The city of Butte is downhill in the background.

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: Montana Tech Gateway Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry in the Middle (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Tech Campus Gymnasium (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana Tech Campus Engineering Building (about 500 feet away); Chasing the Minerals (about 600 feet away); Montana Tech Campus Residence Halls (about 600 feet away); Montana Tech Campus Main Hall (about 600 feet away); Montana Tech Campus President's Residence (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte.

Also see . . . The History of Montana Technological University (Montana Tech).

Excerpt: Opening in 1900 as the Montana State School of Mines, Montana Tech’s funding and land came from the Enabling Act of 1889, which admitted Montana to the Union and allocated 100,000 acres of public land to establish a
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state school of mines. The School of Mines opened its doors with only one building, Main Hall, holding 21 students and offering two degrees: mining engineering and electrical engineering.
Montana Tech specializes in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and healthcare disciplines and has repeatedly been recognized among the top universities in America. Montana Tech offers certificate programs, associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees along with a Ph.D. in Materials Science. All degree offerings derive a special emphasis from the unique setting and continued tradition of high quality that has characterized Montana Tech since its founding.
The exceptional job placement rate of graduates, our successful alumni, combined with the low cost of attendance in a highly personalized environment, attest to both quality, value, and overall return on investment. Offering practical, hands-on learning, Montana Tech provides the opportunity for students looking to be difference-makers, leaders, innovators, healers and problem-solvers.

(Submitted on August 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.