Five stories set in Butte, Montana, chronicle in word and photographs the unique Butte people, the historical Columbia Gardens, the fascinating Our Lady of the Rockies statue, the intense football rivalry between the Bobcats and Grizzlies and the Catholic faith in Butte.
Butte's Catholic Family
 Butte, Montana, is a mining town. The vast quantities of copper, silver and gold turned this mining camp into “the richest hill on earth.” Yet, the true rich passion of Butte revolves around its people. The immigrants who came here brought with them the values of their former country. One passion was the ability to worship their faith in freedom. There were many religious denominations in Butte with lots of churches. The most prominent faith was the Catholic Church. At one time, more than sixty-percent of the people living in Butte were Catholic. There were twelve churches, ten parishes and nine Catholic schools. This book, Butte’s Catholic Family, provides a look at the Catholic faith and its role in Butte’s history.
Butte's Catholic Family,
$24.95 + 5 s&h
For over 100 years the Bobcats and Grizzlies have tangled for Montana football supremacy. This series is as bitter and intense as any rivalry in the country. Through the years this game has featured last-second thrillers, major upsets, long streaks and heartbreaking defeats. This is a game that will divide the state. Either you pull for the Copper-Silver-and-Gold of The University of Montana or the Blue-and-Gold of Montana State University. Each year satellite parties are held around the country so alumni can watch to see if their team will have bragging rights for the next year. It is the only major rivalry that is separated by the Continental Divide. The winner each year in the 21st century receives the Great Divide Trophy. This book The Divide War: Montana’s Golden Treasure illustrates the feelings, emotions and passion that Montana players, coaches and fans have for winning this game. “We encourage you to read this book understanding what this game means and the frenzy that encircles one of our country’s most magnificent athletic spectacles.”
Don Read - Montana Grizzly head coach 1986-95 “It is THE GAME! Nothing else can compare.”
Sonny Holland - Montana State Bobcat head coach 1971-77 “I guess you really find out how important the game is to people when you can go just about anywhere in North America and see the game on television.”
Dave Dickenson - Montana Grizzly player 1992-95 “I still get pumped up when the game comes every year.”
Ron Ueland - Montana State Bobcat player 1971-73
The Divide War,
$29.95
 Butte Voices:
Mining, Neighborhoods, People
Filled with copper, silver and gold, the mining camp of Butte, Montana,
is called "the richest hill on earth." The underground mines and later
the Berkeley Pit were the sources for producing the largest mining operation
the world has ever seen. The powerful Anaconda Company controlled not
only the mines, but also the press, the courts, the legislature and the
Montana economy. How did that impact the Butte people? What was it like
for them working in the most unsafe hard-rock mining operation in the
world? What struggles did the Butte people go through to survive tough
times? Why did so many foreign immigrants flock to Butte looking for an
opportunity? Butte Voices: Mining, Neighborhoods, People
examines these questions and tells the story of the Butte people: their
struggles, neighborhoods, games and ethnic pride. It is a unique story
in a one-of-a-kind town filled with history, tragedy and triumph.
Butte Voices,
$24.95
The Columbia Gardens was built by copper king William Clark shortly
after he purchased land east of Butte in 1899. In a short period of time
Clark constructed one of the most elegant parks in the history of the
United States. The park featured gorgeous floral designs, unique equipment,
a magnificent dance pavilion, amusement rides, a zoo, a sports complex
and, most of all, lots of fun for any person who walked through the gates
free of charge. The Columbia Gardens was closed to pave the way for mining
in 1973. During its 74 years of operation the Columbia Gardens became
more than just an amusement park for Butte residents. It was a treasure
more valuable than all the copper, silver and gold taken out of the mines
in Butte. Butte's Pride "The Columbia Gardens" provides
a wondrous look into this magical place through stories and classic photographs.
Butte's Pride,
$24.95
Miracle on the
East Ridge
Miracle on the East Ridge is the story of one man's dream
to build a statue in the Rocky Mountains overlooking the community of
Butte, Montana. Bob O'Bill vowed to build a statue if his wife, Joyce,
recovered from a serious illness. The statue, called "Our Lady of the
Rockies," took five years to complete. One man's dream became an entire
community's goal as Butte rallied around the statue project. The completion
of the 'Lady' involved people from all walks of life, including some of
the most powerful leaders in the country. The ramifications of the project
went all the way to the White House. Miracle on the East Ridge
chronicles this fascinating project in stories and breath-taking photographs.
Miracle on the
East Ridge, $12.95
The following copyright photos were shot by Mike Kearney, Pat's brother. Each photo still needs to be mounted
and framed.
Steward,
Kelley, Original Mines,
$14.95
Bell Diamond Mine,
$14.95
Anselmo Mine, $14.95
Mountain Con Mine,
$14.95
Sunset
- Butte, Montana, $14.95
 About
the Author
Pat Kearney is a Butte native. He is a 1973 graduate of Butte Central High School and a 1978 graduate of Montana State University. Kearney has spent over 30 years in the broadcasting industry. He has won numerous broadcasting, journalism, production and national sales awards.
Kearney has written seven books. The books include:
1989 - Butte’s Big Game
1990 - Miracle on the East Ridge
1994 - Butte’s Pride - The Columbia Gardens
1998 - Butte’s Voices: Mining, Neighborhoods, People
2001 - Butte’s Copper League
2004 - The Divide War: Montana’s Golden Treasure
2010 - Butte’s Catholic Family
To order by check or money order, please send to:
Skyhigh Communications
Patrick J. Kearney
1800 Garfield
Butte MT 59701
Please include $5.95 for shipping and handling on any order. If you
wish to talk directly to Pat Kearney about an order, or to place an
order, please call 406-490-0688 (day) 406-782-7718 (evening)
|
