{"id":3404,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:58:08","latitude":46.01116796810969589159867609851062297821044921875,"longitude":-112.556715309619903564453125,"title":"Main Hall","subtitle":"First Building Constructed for the School of Mines","fullsize":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/f552e58b4f1ce394a632d98f3fb8351b.jpg","address":"1300 West Park Street, Montana Tech Campus","all_locations":[],"zoom":19,"creator":["Story of Butte","Lindsay Mulcahy","Montana Historical Society"],"description":"Main Hall was the first building constructed for the Montana State School of Mines. Originally known as the “School of Mines building,” its cornerstone was laid on December 29, 1896. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style by John C. Paulsen, one of the Rocky Mountain region’s most prominent architects, it set the standard for the rest of the buildings to come. Upon its completion, it was considered to be the most substantial and solidly built public building in the state. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nFeatured above the second story windows are five reliefs of men who were pioneers of mining-related sciences: Benjamin Franklin (physics), Robert Hunt (geology), Ferdinand Gaetzschman (mineralogy), John Percy (metallurgy), and Alexander Holley (chemistry). Original interior finishings include an open granite stairway with brass railing and wrought iron balustrades framed by polished granite columns. The building also features tunnels connecting to the neighboring buildings.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe school opened its doors to its first students on September 18, 1900. The heating system proved inadequate that first winter, but by the next September a steam heating plant had been installed. As the campus grew and more buildings were added, the building was renamed Main Hall in 1919.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/f552e58b4f1ce394a632d98f3fb8351b.jpg":{"id":5383,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"View of Main Hall including the medallions honoring the five pioneers of mining-related science. | Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives | Circa 1930 | C. Owen Smithers","thumbnail":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/square_thumbnails/f552e58b4f1ce394a632d98f3fb8351b.jpg"},"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/f36c0d9168e46a7a578d32ff50fcd4fb.jpg":{"id":5384,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall","description":"View of Main Hall with men on steps and automobile parked in front. | Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives | 1924 | C. Owen Smithers","thumbnail":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/square_thumbnails/f36c0d9168e46a7a578d32ff50fcd4fb.jpg"},"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/cc175a27e3f0eb72bbefec8666800536.jpg":{"id":5385,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Main Hall Interior","description":"View of an interior stairwell in Main Hall. | Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives | Circa 1930 | C. Owen Smithers","thumbnail":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/square_thumbnails/cc175a27e3f0eb72bbefec8666800536.jpg"}}}