EXTRA! Montana Newspaper Stories 1864-1922: Montana Tech's founding

The Enabling Act of 1889, which created the State of Montana, provided for the establishment of a school of mines. Although the proposal faced controversy in the state legislature, the Montana School of Mines finally opened its doors to a class of 21 in 1900. The sole cost of attendance for a Montana resident was the $5 registration fee.

Key dates

1889—The federal Enabling Act appropriates 100,000 acres of public land for a school of mines.
1893—The state legislature appropriates $15,000 for the creation of the School of Mines in or near Butte; however, bank failures in Helena prevent construction from starting.
March 1895—State representative Howard Paschal’s bill, providing solid funding for the school, is approved.
December 1896—Cornerstone laid in Butte.
1897—Complaints and charges of fraud slow construction.
1900—Both female and male students start classes.

From the newspapers

• For the School of Mines, Great Falls Tribune, April 21, 1893, p. 7
• Not a Sod Yet Turned, Anaconda Standard, June 03, 1894, p. 5
• The School of Mines, Anaconda Standard, February 18, 1895, p. 4
• State School of Mines, Anaconda Standard, March 12, 1895, p. 5
• It May Be Erected, Anaconda Standard, November 02, 1895, p. 8
• Corner Stone Laid, Anaconda Standard, December 30, 1896, p. 7
• Charges of Fraud, Anaconda Standard, May 17, 1897, p. 8
• School of Mines, Billings Gazette, January 06, 1899, p. 3
• A Step Forward, Anaconda Standard, December 08, 1899, p. 6

To find more

Search for these terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases: school of mines, howard paschal, n.r. leonard

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Written by Catherine W. Ockey