History of Copper
As the county seat of Deer Lodge County, Anaconda has a lot to offer to both visitors and residents alike. Anaconda is surrounded on all sides by majestic mountains and wide open spaces. It's a town rich in history, both tragic and exciting, and imbued with natural wonders and a warm, spirited culture.
Anaconda sits at one end of the Pintler Scenic Highway. This 64-mile stretch of highway takes travelers high up into the Pintler Mountains and spills out next to Georgetown Lake. An amazing drive during the summer months, the elevation is so high that the road is closed in the winter and not passable until spring. The byway was built in 1915 and was one of the first paved highways in Montana. It connects Philipsburg, Drummond, and Anaconda to Yellowstone Park and Glacier National Park.
Anaconda's history includes a stint as the home of the largest copper producer in the world: The Anaconda Copper Company. Downtown is filled with historical buildings from the mining heydays. And from nearly anywhere in town, you can see the 585-foot-tall smelter stack that has an inside diameter of 75 feet. At one point, it was the tallest masonry chimney in the world. It's a lasting reminder of the days of copper and wealth.
Beyond its history, Anaconda is a thriving town with dozens of shops and restaurants that range from fine dining to casual fare. Check out the Washoe Theater, which is a classic display of Art Deco design. It was appointed to the National Register of Historic Sites in 1982 and is one of the last remaining theaters of its kind. You can also visit the Hearst Free Library and the Copper Village Museum & Arts Center, which both offer family-friendly activities.
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure, Anaconda can deliver. Whether you’re looking to go hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or just take a casual stroll, there are plenty of opportunities in Anaconda and the surrounding area. There are many trails in Anaconda where you can stretch your legs, as well as a public swimming pool, fish hatchery, and even a skate park.
To the west is Georgetown Lake where you can fish, boat, and water ski or wakeboard. The lake is surrounded by the Pintler Mountain Range, Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest, and the Flint Creek Mountain Range, all of which are teeming with trailheads, providing easy access to the great outdoors. Lost Creek State Park in the area offers amazing limestone cliffs and viewing opportunities of tons of wild animals, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, shrews, deer, and elk.
If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, you'll love Discovery Ski Area, which is only a short drive away. This expansive mountain offers 67 trails, eight lifts, and over 2,200 acres of fresh powder. After skiing the powder all day, head over to Fairmont Hot Springs, which has indoor and outdoor pools for swimming, a golf course, and fine dining.
The Anaconda area is one of Montana’s most enchanting towns and is rich in history and diverse local attractions. It also happens to be situated nearby mountains, lakes, and forests, which makes it a unique destination area. If you are looking to purchase some land in or around Anaconda, let the agents at the Clearwater Montana Properties office in Anaconda help.
