The city of Anaconda sits off interstate 90 northwest of Butte. If you’re on the highway the first thing you’ll see is the historic smelter stack. Its imposing stature set against the mountains is striking.
Anaconda was founded in 1883 by Marcus Daly as a mining town to process copper ore from the nearby mines in Butte. Its smelter stack was built in 1918 and is the tallest surviving masonry structure in the world.
The stack looms tall over the city. A city that nearly became the capital of Montana. It has witnessed over 100 years of wealth, excess, decay, and closure. It stands as a witness to the people of Anaconda—their durability and strength.
