Here’s The Story Behind The Our Lady Of The Rockies Statue In Montana
Jessica Wick
Author
If you’ve spent time in Butte or driven through Silver Bow County, you’ve certainly seen the massive white statue overlooking the city. Perhaps you’ve been comforted by the seemingly maternal figure looking out for you, or maybe you just wondered why it’s there. Its backstory is actually quite beautiful. Our Lady of the Rockies is the fourth tallest statue in the United States, towering 3,500 feet above town. It’s visible day and night, and the people of Butte love that it’s there. Here’s the story behind this unique Montana landmark:
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Were you aware of the history of Our Lady of the Rockies? Does it change how you view the statue? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Check out our previous article for another unique statue in Montana!
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Montana Landmarks
What are some other unique Montana landmarks?
There’s so much to see and do in the Treasure State, especially for those love spending time outdoors. However, if you're more of a history buff or curious explorer, there are some unique Montana landmarks sure to capture your imagination:
- Berkley Pit. Berkley Pit boasts a long and storied history in Butte, dating back to 1955. It served as a copper mine from the time it opened until the early 1980s with more than 290 billion tons of copper ore removed during the mine’s history. Today, visitors flock to this unique roadside attraction to snap photos and marvel at the massive pit that measures 7,000 feet in length and 5,600 feet in width -- and a depth of 1,600 feet! Bring along a few dollars for the entrance fee to access the viewing platform that offers prime views of the pit.
- The Cut Bank Penguin. Cut Bank is a small city of about 3,000 people, located on Highway 2 between I-15 and Glacier National Park. It gets very cold here; and in fact, it does sometimes hold the title of the coldest spot in the Lower 48. To celebrate its cold-weather clout, artist Ron Gustafson created a penguin statue in 1989. You'll find him outside of the Glacier Gateway Inn. The statue was designed to commemorate Cute Bank's freezing cold status, but most locals agree that he's pretty charming -- when his speaker works, he's known to blurt out "Welcome to Cut Bank, the Coldest Spot in the Nation!"
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Evel Knievel’s Grave. While it might not be typical roadside attraction, Evel Knievel’s grave is worth a visit, especially if you’re a fan of the famous daredevil. Robert Craig Knievel, his official name, was born in 1938 in Butte. Although he traveled all over, beginning in the 1960s and performing death-defying stunts throughout his life, he returned home after his death.