A Rare Tour That Shows You Why Butte Is “The Richest Hill On Earth”
The Orphan Girl mine was founded in 1875 and purchased by Marcus Daly in 1879. The mine was always more ‘popular’ with the miners for its relatively nice temperatures of 55-65 degrees, rather than its bountiful take. “The Girl” was in operation until the 1950s and produced over 7,600,000 ounces of silver in its time. Zinc and lead were also brought up out of their depths through the decades.
The World Museum of Mining offers a rare experience that not many people have embarked on, the opportunity to go 100 feet into the Orphan Girl Mine.
Guests will be led into the Orphan Girl and view the Orhan Girl vein, one of the few publicly viewable, exposed veins in North America. The tour is a walking tour, so make sure you have closed-toe shoes (I’d strongly suggest boots) and a light jacket.
The tour guides on your journey will tell the tale of what made Butte, “The Richest Hill on Earth”. From the history of the mines to the dangers of working underground every day, to the impacts the mines had on Butte, Montana, and the world.
If you are thinking about exploring the Orphan Girl mine with the World Museum of Mining, I urge you to make a reservation on their website, asap. Once the nice weather decides to stick around, the days and times fill up quickly. There is also an option for a private tour, rather than a group tour. You can book your tour and learn more about the experience via their website HERE.
If you purchase a ticket for an underground tour, you also get a general admission pass to the World Museum of Mining, where you can explore over 50 exhibit buildings and countless artifacts. You will be able to spend countless hours walking the streets of Hell Roarin’ Gulch.
Read more about the underground tours, the Museum, and how you can be a part of it all at miningmuseum.org.
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