One of several "flight-seeing" planes we saw. 

Rest stop along the Missouri River. 

Lester displaying the latest catch from Newlan Reservoir. These beauties were given to the RV park owners because they love trout! 

One of the three colts in the herd. This little guy has a deformed right front ankle and hoof. A birth defect according to the owners (we had the RV park owners call them because we thought it was broken) that might possibly correct itself ... if not, it will probably have to be put down. Such a shame because it is a beautiful little foal. 

Part of our herd of horses across the road from where we're parked. 

Cowboy and cattle dogs framed by beautiful Newlan Lake Reservoir ... Phil and Lester's favorite fishing spot. 

On a sight-seeing drive, we found this honest-to-goodness Montana cowboy and two genuine cattle dogs at Newlan Reservoir. While fishing here the day before, Phil and Lester had seen this group driving a herd of cattle down this same road. He graciously allowed us to take their picture. Horse, dogs and man were exhausted from moving cattle up in the hills all day and on their way home. He told us he would probably get a fresh horse and go back out until sundown. Long day!  

This cat is in for a big surprise if it catches that skunk ... 

Top priority! We found a hard ice cream source! Next challenge ... homemade pie source. 

Viewed our our front window, this is our first sunset in White Sulphur Springs. Just think, this will happen every night for two weeks ... gorgeous! 

June 7 ... Wal*Mart stop in Butte on our travel day from Garrison to White Sulphur Springs Montana. 

10:52 AM Monday June 13, 2005

Anaconda was founded by Marcus Daly in 1883 as a smelter site to reduce the metal-bearing ore mined in nearby Butte. The establishment of the smelter in Anaconda was due entirely to the abundance of water which is necessary in the reduction of metal from ore.

For many years Anaconda enjoyed a stable economy based on the operations of the Reduction Works of the Anaconda Company. Copper smelting was the dominant industry and the main key to the local economy. Other metals and products important to the local economy included: 99.99 percent zinc, lead, silver and gold as bi-products of the copper operation. In it's most productive times, the Anaconda Company employed about 1,100 people. Through the years Anaconda-Deer Lodge County enjoyed being one of the leaders in the state regarding high average wages and low employment.

The court house manager told us that when the smelter shut down in 1980, 700 people lost their jobs and the people of Anaconda were sure they would become a ghost town. Surprisingly, through preseverance the town and county has survived and is a charming community of 10,000 today. However, there are many who believe the huge slag piles that are still evident at the edge of town continue to pollute the groundwater with carcinogens to this day but I haven't read anything to corroborate those statements.

Artistic "Welcome to Anaconda" (Montana) greeting on the edge of town.. 

We couldn't resist a self-guided tour and were not disappointed. 

Standing on a rise at the end of Main Street, the DeerLodge County Courthouse can be seen from anywhere in town. 

Painted features on the inside of the dome above the third floor. 

Beautiful tilework (all the floors), marble (stairs and wainscotting) and ironwork in the main floor rotunda. 

Three of the dozens of original chairs and benches in near perfect condition.  

Charming if not discreet signage ... 

Original marble sinks in the restroom.