Walkerville: Mining History and Historic Homes

Walkerville combines a defining mining history with historic homes and trails that connect cultural sites. The town is considered the birthplace of mining in Butte and is located in the Butte-Anaconda Historic District. For your trip, you can focus on different aspects: the settlement’s development, traces of mining, and the architecture of the historic townscape.

Walkerville’s Mining History

Walkerville was established in 1876, after the Walker brothers acquired the Alice. They dominated the Walkerville mining camp; the Alice was one of the most productive silver mines on the Hill. Labor history is also part of the town’s story: the first strike in the Butte area took place in Walkerville in 1878. These dates place the town’s origins and the importance of mining in an early phase of regional development.

The Lexington Mine adds to this picture. It was one of the silver mines that made Butte a major silver producer from the late 1870s through the 1880s. In 1881, the Lexington Mining Company built a 50-stamp mill with roasting furnaces next to its mine in Walkerville. The year, the size of the facility, and its industrial equipment give the mining history a concrete connection to the town.

Historic Homes and Townscape

Walkerville is home to the oldest residences in the Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark District. Many buildings on Main Street date from the 1870s and 1880s; some of the district’s best-preserved miners’ homes are also located here. The houses are clustered closely together on a steep slope, with the Lexington Mine in the background. This makes it possible to view the residential buildings and mining history as a connected townscape, rather than simply as separate historic buildings.

The wider context is also part of the story: the Butte-Anaconda Historic District includes the communities of Butte, Anaconda, and Walkerville, as well as the Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railroad. The district illustrates the industrialization of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Within this context, Walkerville offers a close-up view of an early mining settlement and workers’ homes.

Trails, Tours, and Historic Sites

The Copperway Trails run through Walkerville and connect historic preservation sites in Walkerville and Butte. They are part of a network of non-motorized trails that link various cultural sites. This offers another perspective in addition to the history of individual buildings: viewing historic places as part of a trail network. As trail conditions can change, check local notices before setting out.

A National Park Service description, last updated on November 2, 2020, mentions walking tours and self-guided tours in the Butte-Anaconda Historic District. Visitors can see historic architecture and inactive copper mines. Check current tour arrangements before your trip. A steel headframe remains above the Lexington Mine shaft; check its current condition on site before visiting.

Plan Your Trip to Walkerville

The Purple Route runs to Walkerville every 60 minutes, Monday through Friday. Schedules and frequency can change, so it’s a good idea to check the current schedule before departing. For planning purposes, you can also consider whether you’re mainly interested in the historic homes, mining facilities, or the Copperway Trails.

Walkerville is a good starting point for your hotel search if you want to focus your trip on the history of mining and the town’s preserved architecture. The combination of settlement history, industrial traces, and trails to historic preservation sites gives your choices a clear thematic focus.

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