Welcome to Anaconda Montana

Anaconda is located in Montana's Gold West Country, one of Montana's six tourism territories. Gold West Country is located in the lower Southwest corner of the state and lies between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Rich in mining history, Anaconda was founded when the Anaconda Copper Mining Company in Butte, MT required a smelter for the refining its copper ore. In 1882, Copper King, Marcus Daly chose the would be "Anaconda" as the perfect smelter site for the company because of its ample supply of water and nearby limestone deposits.

When in 1980, the smelter shut down its smelter operation, the town's historic economic base came to a halt. The town's smokestack now sits idle but it reminds the community of its foundation. The smokestack can be seen from the interstate and stands over 585 feet high and measures 86 feet wide at its base. It is the tallest freestanding masonry structure in the world and was declared a state monument in 1985.

The economic base of the community that was once deeply veined with the opportunities provided by the Anaconda Mining Company has slowly shifted its spotlight to reflect the mineral treasures, such a sapphires, agates, crystals, garnets and gold that are sprinkled throughout Gold West Country and the growing recreation opportunities that continue to bolster the economy.

Anaconda MT - www.anaconda-montana.com