When Butte's population was over 3 times what it is now, labor/management issues were not settled by negotiations often, the IWW was very active, the mine owners had hired Pinkerton goons to act as their personal police.
When Butte was at it's peak population (70,000 to 100,000, depending on the source) every job in town was dependent on the copper mines one way or another.
Great historic photo. Those pole climbers are amazing. It looks peaceful today and my curiosity runs to what kind of cafe is the M&M? Looks like a place that would be interesting to try. Home cooking?
Ah, the M&M Cigar shop was the original name, dates back I think over 100 years....was known for it's 24/7 operating hours (three shifts at the mines). When I first got here 20 some years ago it was still a 24 hour place, one half of the cavernous interior was a bar, the other a cafe, with only counter seating. Known for it's good burgers and the like. In the last decade or so it's fallen on hard times, now is sometimes open, I haven't been in for years. There are many references to it on google.
It was either one of the buildings blown up by errant mining explosives going off, one of the victims of the large fire, or was just removed. Not sure.
It looks very peaceful now.
ReplyDeleteSome would say downright dead.
DeleteMy dad was the son of a coal mine engineer.There were grand supper time stories told.
ReplyDeleteWhen Butte was at it's peak population (70,000 to 100,000, depending on the source) every job in town was dependent on the copper mines one way or another.
DeleteGreat historic photo. Those pole climbers are amazing. It looks peaceful today and my curiosity runs to what kind of cafe is the M&M? Looks like a place that would be interesting to try. Home cooking?
ReplyDeleteAh, the M&M Cigar shop was the original name, dates back I think over 100 years....was known for it's 24/7 operating hours (three shifts at the mines). When I first got here 20 some years ago it was still a 24 hour place, one half of the cavernous interior was a bar, the other a cafe, with only counter seating. Known for it's good burgers and the like. In the last decade or so it's fallen on hard times, now is sometimes open, I haven't been in for years. There are many references to it on google.
DeleteI have a friend whose father was in the IWW. Those were the days.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. My dad had cousins that were Wobs in Oregon.
DeleteI love those then and now pics. I wonder about the edifice on the left, what was it?
ReplyDeleteAnd how changed everything is.
XO
WWW
It was either one of the buildings blown up by errant mining explosives going off, one of the victims of the large fire, or was just removed. Not sure.
ReplyDelete