Helena, MT
Capital of Montana
Known as “Queen City of the Rockies”
Overview
Helena is the capital city of Montana, located in the West region of the United States. Founded in 1864, the city has grown to a population of approximately 32,315 residents within a state of 1,084,225 people. As the seat of Montana's state government, Helena serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Montana State Capitol, a Neoclassical structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1902. Designed by Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Helena has served as the capital of Montana since 1875. Before Helena, the state's capital was located in Bannack and Virginia City.
Montana State Capitol
The Montana State Capitol in Helena is a Neoclassical building featuring a copper-clad dome topped with a statue of Lady Liberty, overlooking the surrounding mountains. The interior is highlighted by Charles M. Russell's massive painting 'Lewis and Clark Meeting the Flathead Indians at Ross' Hole,' one of the largest paintings in any state capitol. Two wings were added in 1912, expanding the building significantly.
Neoclassical with French Renaissance influences
Notable Features
- Charles M. Russell's historic painting in the House chambers
- Copper-clad dome with Lady Liberty statue
- Sandstone exterior quarried from nearby mountains
- French Renaissance interior details
- Stained glass dome skylight in the rotunda
- Scenic mountain views from the capitol grounds
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The Montana State Capitol features one of Charles M. Russell's most famous paintings, measuring 12 by 25 feet, depicting Lewis and Clark meeting the Flathead Indians.
- ★Helena was founded as a gold camp in 1864 after prospectors found gold in a gulch they named 'Last Chance.'
- ★The Last Chance Gulch, Helena's main street, follows the route of the original gold strike.
- ★Helena had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world in the 1880s, thanks to gold mining.
- ★Montana means 'mountain' in Spanish, and the capitol grounds offer views of the surrounding Rocky Mountain foothills.
- ★The copper on the dome is a tribute to Montana's historic copper mining industry.