Butte, America: Home to Legends, Green Beer

My first job as a news anchor was at the CBS affiliate (KXLF-TV) in the historic city of Butte, Montana.

Known to locals as “Butte, America”, Butte holds a special place in my heart. At one time, Butte was the largest city in the northwest – bigger than Seattle. The Butte Copper Mine brought loads of people from around the globe creating a melting pot of cultures. Beautiful buildings were constructed with copper inlays and no expenses spared as the city boomed. But that boom turned bust when the mine eventually shut down. It made for hard times and hard living for many people. That “live hard” mentality was passed on through generations of Butte families.

As an outsider, I can’t completely relate, but I can say I’ve had the honor of meeting some incredible people from Butte, MT. One of those legends was Evel Knievel, a Butte native and American classic. This past weekend, Butte celebrated his legacy at Evel Knievel Days, an event created just before Evel died.

Believe it or not, this city, now comprised of just over 30,000 people, is home to many interesting athletes and other characters. From UFC fighter Keith Jardine to cyclist Levi Leipheimer (Tour De France and Lance Armstrong teammate). I’ve heard people talk about certain places having soul. Of all the places I’ve traveled across this country, Butte is definitely one with soul.

Not to mention, they have one hell of a St. Patty’s Day!