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Helena was born in 1864 when prospectors known as the Four Georgians struck gold on their attempt at a place they called "Last Chance Gulch," now Helena's main street. Watch large-scale mining operations or prospect for gold in public streams and retail mines. Today, half the world's sapphires are found in Montana.
You can hike right in town on Mount Helena, a 628-acre park that looks down on the city from its 5,460-foot peak. A number of well-marked trails provide options for hiking to the peak, circling the mountain, or walking to the ghost town of Park City. Take your choice of more than 700 miles of trails in the Helena National Forest. There are five local access points to the Continental Divide Scenic Trail that passes within 13 miles of Helena. Helena's weather is usually clear, sunny and dry, and low humidity levels make both summer and winter temperatures more comfortable. Because Helena is on the "dry side" of the Continental Divide, there are generally more sunny days here than west of the Divide.
For a small town, Helena has a great deal to offer those who appreciate the fine arts. A local symphony, the Western Rendezvous of Art, which is a national art show, the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, the Grand Street Theatre, The Myrna Loy Center for the Performing and Visual Arts, numerous fine art galleries showing all types of art from traditional to contemporary and more, provide Helena with a solid mix of culture. We are proud to be called the "best small art town in America!"
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