It was six years in the making, from planning to building, but it took just four December days to move the statue to its permanent home.

“Lady mission accomplished” was The Montana Standard front-page headline on Dec. 21, 1985, reporting the statue now “glowed on a pedestal atop the Continental Divide.”

Head of Our Lady of the Rockies placed

Butte residents got an early Christmas gift on Dec. 20, 1985. Just days before the yuletide holiday, the mission to put Our Lady of the Rockies atop the East Ridge was complete. 

FILE PHOTO
Our Lady workers atop statue

Several of the volunteer workers stand ready for the final piece of the Our Lady of the Rockies statue on Dec. 20, 1985. 

FILE PHOTO

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Forty years later, Our Lady of the Rockies still a symbol of Butte pride, resilience
Forty years later, Our Lady of the Rockies still a symbol of Butte pride, resilience

Forty years ago today, a dream became a reality and the 90-foot statue representing the Madonna, mother of Jesus, finally stood looking over Butte atop the East Ridge.

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