The history and future of Butte, Montana

For a small town, Butte, Montana is rich in history – from being, at one time, the largest city between Chicago and San Francisco, to being the site of one of the world's most productive copper mines. But the closing of mines, and their distinction of being home to one of the nation's largest Superfund sites, have long cast a shadow over the place. Last summer the residents of Butte turned a corner in their efforts to reverse environmental damage and be delisted as a Superfund site. Correspondent Luke Burbank reports on how the town's past is informing its march forward.

"CBS Sunday Morning" features stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and Americana, and highlights unique human accomplishments and achievements. Check local listings for CBS Sunday Morning broadcast times.

[TomBTerrific]

When I got out of the Army in 1971 a friend of mine took me to Butte where he grew up. Brian Maddox . We then went to Bozeman and eventually found ourselves living in West Yellowstone. Very special time in my life. Young and dumb as they say. Brian passed away in 1973 in Colorado. That’s for the shining times Brian. R.I.P.

[gadfanad]

My wife and I visited Butte in 2013. Visually and historically hiking town. Few towns have made such a strong impression on us. Nowhere like it.

[christsciple]

I'm a Montanan and went to college there in Butte. Most interesting town in the country! My grandfather was the last employee working the smelter in Great Falls - where much of the copper was sent to be transformed into huge spools of wire. He has numerous patents to his name for developing methods of copper leaching!

[johnwillard]

I’m 63, I live about 6 blocks from the Berkeley Pit, born, raised and lived in Butte for all but a few years, ran over 40, 000 miles in and around Butte, still do. Golf, ride motorcycles which is especially nice with a lot less traffic around, I may snowbird to Mexico, which is delightful but wouldn’t want to live anywhere else the other 9 months . Love My Hometown, thanks to my ancestors for settling here in Beautiful southwest Montana.

[onetwocue]

Butte and its historical buildings are goregous. Cant wait to get back!

[arttenoyan]

Hooray for Butte, Montana, it's people and their courage and determination.

[clieding]

My Grandmother was born in Anaconda Montana in 1909 and grew up in Butte. She lived to be 98 years old and lived the last six years of her life in Hawaii. My Mother, her eldest daughter, often said that Butte was a lovely town.

[ag-bkwf]

Childhoods are always great because your too young to realize the reality.

[princethomas]

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic businesses and Government faced the need to solve multiple, competing priorities simultaneously. One of the toughest: how to keep an economy going while at the same time shutting it down to protect citizens from infection. As some regions emerge from the worst of the health Crisis, it’s tempting to think that there could be a return to focusing on just one main concern. But this week, Expert Christiana examined sectors, particularly defense and national infrastructure, where solving for dual imperatives is more important than ever.
Defense forces, which typically..

[suzanneseiple]

We were in Montana about a month ago and decided to go to Butte since we’ve never been. Unfortunately, it was not a good experience, which surprised us since most of the towns we’ve visited have been wonderful. I know every place has its issues but it seems, to me, Butte has a long way to go before it can be called a good place to live. However, we did get to see the final resting place of Evel Knievel, who I believe was a local. If you do get the chance, take a visit to Butte, and make up your own mind.

[redrockpaco]

I was drawn to Butte, America 10 years ago because the city is so beautiful and picturesque. Butte also has the best and nicest people I have ever encountered. I’m so glad that my favorite place on planet earth, is finally seeing the big uptick that they most definitely deserve. And the proof is in the pudding. When I visit other Montana cities and towns and people ask what my favorite Montana place is? I always proudly say Butte, America and I kid you not, someone offers to buy me a drink. Butte is not only amazing to me, but also garners so much respect from around Montana. For a non-native, I am so attached to Butte and spend as much time as I can. Heck I bragged about so much my mom chose to retire there. Now I visit even more often than ever. #richesthill #bestplaceever #ilovebutteamerica #butteforever #butteisbest #gobulldogs #charlieoredigger #mff2022 #GodblessButte

[kristawelch]

Butte native here loving this report! Grew up mostly north of Platinum and west of Montana!

[SUVRVing]

Butte is a really interesting city that we really feel a connection to. We visit often. Thanks for sharing this.

[nathanseper]

Butte cleaned up its mess. If only we could do this nationwide!

[emperorpalpatine]

Such a beautiful town. At least they actively trying to get back and move on from the industry, unlike some parts of coal country

[WootTootZoot]

During the 1800's and into the early 1900's, Butte had more people that spoke Irish Galic than English.

[tinay]

Typical departure by mines, leaving destruction behind... should held 100% responsible

[brucegelman]

Never mined.Seriously all Kudos to the Butians for their dogged pursuit of a clean environment.

[SandyWolf-]

WV could learn from this this The mountain top removal can never be repaired nor replaced 😥✌

[jokerace]

Yeah, it gave me an uneasy feeling when I was there looking at it.