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Columbia Gardens
In the December 23, 1997 Special Edition of the Montana Standard, entitled "Gardens Again?", Lorie Hutson goes on to explain the history of the original Columbia Gardens.
"Lush with greenery that refused to grow in a town poisoned by arsenic smoke, the Columbia Gardens was 21 acres of heaven for turn-of-the century Butte residents. Tucked at the base of the Continental Divide, the area was originally named Columbia because it was discovered in 1876, the same year the nation held its Columbia Centennial in Philadelphia.
Copper magnate William A. Clark bought the property in 1899 with the idea of turning it into a place for residents, especially children, to play and relax. Butte lore has it that Clark was riding through the dusty streets in an open carriage one day with his manager, Jesse R. Wharton, when he noticed that the children were playing in the dirt. According to Adolph Heilbronner, who published the book, Columbia Gardens, in 1902, Clark turned to Wharton and said, 'Mr. Wharton, can't we provide these children with a suitable playground somewhere near the city?'
Under Clark's direction the Columbia Gardens would boast a pavillion, a children's playground with giant swings, see-saws, a merry-go-round and a zoo. A man-made lake was built for wading, swimming, and boating and its main attraction was "The Chute," where adventurous people would ride a boat down this flume-like slide from the top of a hill into the lake.
The park also had greenhouses with about 150,000 plants on display. The extensive flora of the Columbia Gardens was envied by many. One of the most popular, and memorable gardens was filled with pansies. Groups of children were allowed to pick bouquets of the brilliant flowers on special days. Groundskeepers would replant the garden for next time.
On Thursdays, children could ride Clark's streetcars to the sprawling playground for free. The original pavillion at the Gardens was destroyed in an early morning fire October 27, 1907. Wharton and a few neighbors were able to save most of the other buildings with a bucket brigade. Plans for a new building were started immediately.
In the 1920's there were many changes to the Gardens. The
memorable three-tiered roller coaster, airplane ride, ferris
wheel, carousel and the long arcade were added. Three years
after Clark died in 1925, the Anaconda Company bought the
Columbia Gardens with the rest of the Copper Kings. And
although it was a losing venture, the company made
improvements to the Gardens and honored Clark's wish to keep
admission free. The improvements included a new carousel,
biplane rides, and refurbished roller coaster. The Columbia
Gardens in the years it operated became the love of Butte
and the envy of the rest of the state. But as people danced,
relaxed and played at the mountain oasis, Anaconda's mining
interests inched closer and closer to the Gardens. In early
1972, the Anaconda Company announced plans to close it.
Despite the deafening cry of public opposition, the Columbia
Gardens held its last day on Labor Day,
1973."