The population of Butte began as a mining town in the late nineteenth century. The city is situated in a natural bowl high in the Rocky Mountains, straddling the Continental Divide. The rich deposits of copper and silver attracted immigrant workers from all over the world. Butte was a bustling city, and was once known as "The Richest Hill on Earth."
This Montana town is home to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Dumas Brothel. However, it is not known when the town's population peaked. There are two separate population statistics for Butte. Both contain the number of Irish Americans, with Butte having the highest percentage. Although the city is a predominantly white area, there is a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds represented in the town. The diverse culture of Butte can be seen in the food and drink culture.
At the end of the nineteenth century, Butte became famous for its copper mines. The mining boom in Butte was accompanied by labor unions and Socialist politics. The riot of 1914 sparked anti-Chinese sentiment, which was exacerbated by the economic depression. A boycott of Chinese businesses was organized in 1895, which was eventually ended by a lawsuit brought by the business owners. Today, Butte High School is located on Wyoming Street.
Butte's climate is typical of an exaggerated semi-arid climate. It has long winters, with average temperatures of 18 degF in January. Thirty-nine nights are below zero. The summer months are brief, with warm days and chilly nights. The city receives low amounts of rainfall per year, most of which occurs in the spring and autumn.