Harding Way Historic District, Listed!

The Harding Way Highway Historic District represents the combined efforts of Silver Bow County, Federal Bureau of Public Roads, and Montana State Highway Commission to improve the state’s highway system in the wake of federal and state legislation passed in 1921.

Initially developed with county funds, Harding Way Highway was later improved with state and federal money, allowing improved commercial traffic to a modern paved Federal Aid highway during the Great Depression. Evolving highway construction standards of the time transformed the highway by shortening the distance between Butte in Silver Bow County and Whitehall in Jefferson County, and reducing many of the treacherous curves and steep grades present on the old road. Early 1930s advertising, essentially serving the role of billboards, are still visible as ghost signs on rocks adjacent to the road, rare survivors of Montana’s early twentieth century highways.

The city of Butte and the Silver Bow County commissioners promoted nominating Harding Way for its recreational opportunities and its scenic value, especially its vistas of the Mining City and surrounding area.

SILVER BOW COUNTY, Harding Way Historic District, MP 75.0 to Milepost 80.1, Butte vicinity, SG100010219, LISTED, 4/8/2024