

LEWIS AX!) CLARK COUISTY. 



Originally named Edgerton county, Lewis and Clark is one of the oldest counties 

 of the state. Its resources comprise agriculture, stock raising, dairying, in all their 

 various branches and while it cannot be said to be a fruit center, all of the different 

 fruits do exceedingly well where they have been planted and cultivated. 



It is one of the earlier mining centers of the state, the mines of Marysville, 

 Rimini, Unionville, Scratch Gravel, Grass Valley and other quartz mining dis- 

 tricts have produced many millions of dollars. The earlier mining consisted of 

 placer gold mining, through which many millions were taken from the ground in 

 and adjacent to Helena, the county seat. For many years after 1893 mining was at 

 nearly a standstill owing to the closing of the silver mines due to the demonetiza- 

 tion of silver and serious mining litigation. It is again coming to the front owing 

 greatly to the efforts of the Helena Mining Bureau organized by the citizens 

 •of Helena four years ago. During the period of its existence many of the old 

 mines of the county have been reopened and are today producing gold, silver and 

 lead in paying quantities. 



The main agricultural sections of the county are the Prickly Pear valley con- 

 taining ahout 100,000 acres, lying north of Helena, the Missouri valley adjacent to 

 it and the Sun and Dearborn valleys in the upper northern half of the county. 

 In these sections there are many large and beautiful ranches given to the pro- 

 duction of the various grasses and grains, or high bred cattle, hogs and sheep. 

 All of the small grains and root crops produced are of the highest grade anJ some 

 •of them have achieved fame en account of their excellent quality. This is especially 

 true of the potatoes of the Pricldy Pear valley. From this section comes a large 

 proportion of the "Great Big Baked Potatoes" served lor many years on the dining 

 cars of the Northern Pacific railway. These potatoes competing against the 

 world were given the gold medal at the Panama-Pacific Exposition. 



The climate of the county is cne of the best, pleasant summers and mild 

 winters predominating. The Prickly Pear valley at Helena has, according to the 

 U. S. Weather Service records, the longest growing season in the state. 



The principal irrigaticn projects are those in tne Sun River country and that of 

 the Montana Reservoir & Irrigaticn company in the Prickly Pear valley near Helena. 

 The latter is a pumping project covering approximately 9,500 acres. The water is 

 pumped lrom the Missouri river by electric power furnished by the three large 

 power dams of the Montana Power Company at Canyon Ferry, Hauser Lake and 

 Holter. These dams produce an aggregate of 100,000 horse power which is trans- 

 mitted to various parts of the state. The river runs through one of the most 

 scenic parts of the mountains. The dams make 55 miles of quiet water on which 

 small motor craft ply, taking the tourist to places of natural grandeur, which can 

 be reached in no other way and which amply repay the visitors for the time neces- 

 sary to cover them. 



Helena, the capital of the state, has a population of 18,000. It is said to be 

 one of the most beautiful towns in the west with fine public school system. Catholic 

 parochial schools and college, a Methodist college, churches of all denominations, 

 public libraries and societies for the promotion of liberal and scientific education, 

 theatres and other good amusement facilities. Its manufacturing interests comprise, 

 crackers, candy, dairy products, rugs and carpets, architectural granite and slate, 

 brick and tile, wood working, galvanized iron cornices, soap, candles, architectural 

 iron, mining machinery, soft drinks, lime, book binding and printing, seeds and 

 flowers, ore concentration and others. Several large oil, automobile and mercantile 

 companies make the city their district distributing point. The wholesale trade of 

 the city consists of groceries, coffee roasting, hardware, dry goods, drugs and 

 chemicals, mining supplies, wines and liquors. 



Helena is also the location of the Montana State Fair. 



Its bank deposits total $19,000,000 and monthly clearings average $9,000,000. 



East Helena, population 1,500, four miles east of Helena, is the location of 

 the large smelter of the American Smelting and Refining Company employing an 

 average of 500 men and smelting the ores of Montana and surrounding states. 

 There is also a meat packing plant under construction, bank, mercantile institutions, 

 good schools and churches. 



Augusta, Gilman, Marysville, Wolf Creek, Craig, and other smaller places are 

 active growing towns in good mining and agricultural sections. The county is noted 

 for its excellent system of roads leading from Helena to all parts of it and passing 

 through unrivalled scenery. 



For further information address the Helena Commercial Club. 



