Her Story
Have you ever made a promise that seemed impossible to keep?
In the late 1970s, Joyce O’Bill was sick with cancer. Her husband, scared he would lose her, made a promise. If she survived, he would create a monument in her honor.
Joyce made a full recovery and Bob made good on his promise. What started as a small act of love now stands before you as the fourth tallest statue in the United States.
The culmination of six years of hard work and undying faith placed Our Lady of the Rockies atop the Continental Divide. Construction of the statue started in 1979. The people of Butte, MT, from all demographics, volunteered their time. As well as building the statue, they created the access road that visitors arrive on. Meanwhile, volunteers were working to raise needed funds through memorials and other projects. They poured the 400-ton concrete base in September of 1985, and on December 17, 1985, the statue was ready to be airlifted. Thousands watched as the Nevada Army National Guard, the Montana National Guard, the US Army Reserve from Butte, and teams of civilian workers all moved the statue to the mountain in four sections.
For the community who contributed to the project, a dream had finally become reality. Our Lady of the Rockies is entirely nondenominational and a tribute to women and mothers everywhere. Built in the likeness of Mary, Mother of Jesus, she draws visitors from all over the world to honor, remember, and send love to the women in their own lives.
Our Lady By The Num
bers
Our Lady By The Numbers
Feet Tall
Feet Wide
Tons of Stone
Feet Wide (Base)
Tons (Base)
Feet Above Sea Level
Feet Above Butte, MT
Tallest statue in the United States
Project commenced
Statue completed
Feet Tall
Feet Wide
Tons of Stone
Feet Wide (Base)
Tons (Base)
Tallest Statue in the United States
Feet Above Sea Level
Feet Above Butte, MT
Project Commenced
Statue Completed
Her Story
Have you ever made a promise that seemed impossible to keep?
In the late 1970s, Joyce O’Bill was sick with cancer. Her husband, scared he would lose her, made a promise. If she survived, he would create a monument in her honor.
Joyce made a full recovery and Bob made good on his promise. What started as a small act of love now stands before you as the fourth tallest statue in the United States.
The culmination of six years of hard work and undying faith placed Our Lady of the Rockies atop the Continental Divide. Construction of the statue started in 1979. The people of Butte, MT, from all demographics, volunteered their time. As well as building the statue, they created the access road that visitors arrive on. Meanwhile, volunteers were working to raise needed funds through memorials and other projects. They poured the 400-ton concrete base in September of 1985, and on December 17, 1985, the statue was ready to be airlifted. Thousands watched as the Nevada Army National Guard, the Montana National Guard, the US Army Reserve from Butte, and teams of civilian workers all moved the statue to the mountain in four sections.
For the community who contributed to the project, a dream had finally become reality. Our Lady of the Rockies is entirely nondenominational and a tribute to women and mothers everywhere. Built in the likeness of Mary, Mother of Jesus, she draws visitors from all over the world to honor, remember, and send love to the women in their own lives.
Memorial On Top Of the World
A landmark location to honor our mothers on the Continental Divide.
As you stand before the chapel, facing the Memorial Wall for mothers, you’ll read the names of mothers from all over the world. Sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren travel for miles to Our Lady of the Rockies to celebrate the women in their lives.
Could there be a more fitting place to honor women? Our Lady of the Rockies and the chapel beside it are symbolic of a mother giving life to her children. Water flows from the ridgeline where she stands to the Columbia and Missouri rivers, nurturing the landscape and communities along the way to the oceans.
As you stand on the ridge, think of the women who have given you guidance, who have been your teachers, and who have given you strength and love. Like the foundation of the Continental Divide, our mothers are our foundation of strength.
The Continental Divide Trail
The Continental Divide Trail stretches 3100 miles between the borders of Mexico and Canada. It follows the mountain ridgeline that separates the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds. Hiking it is an ambitious adventure that passes through a diversity of ecosystems.
The trail starts in the deserts of New Mexico before crossing into the Colorado Rockies with staggering changes in elevation. After wading through seas of Wyoming basin grasslands, it finally reaches Montana. It passes by Our Lady of the Rockies and finishes its journey in Glacier National Park.
Committed hikers see the Continental Divide Trail as a unique and rugged cross-section of the western United States.
Our Mission
To Recognize the Dignity of Motherhood and the Sacrificial Love a Mother has for her child, without regard to Nationality or Belief in a manner that honors All Women and lifts the human spirit in love, peace and joy, and to maintain the Statue and support facilities in such a way that future generations will treasure Our Lady of the Rockies for what it represents.
Explore the Summit Valley
As you look out over the valley, you’ll see a place with a deep history and thriving community. Once the major copper producer in the United States, Butte contributed the raw materials that electrified the country in the 19th century. It was the largest city for miles during this mining boom. Known as the “richest hill on earth,” many of Butte’s attractions allow you a glimpse into the region’s history as well as a sense of the community today.
As you descend from the Continental Divide and explore the valley, here’s a list of places you’ll have the chance to visit.
1. World Museum of Mining
Located on the original site of the Orphan Girl Mine, World Museum of Mining explores the history of mining and culture of Butte with immersive experiences. Make sure to take the underground tour!
3. Berkeley Pit
The Berkeley Pit was once an open pit copper mine, now one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States. This acidic pond dominates the Butte landscape, and you can check out an admission-based viewing stand for a closer look from a safe distance.
5. Stodden Park
Stodden Park is an inclusive park for all abilities that celebrates the rich history of Butte through active play. You’ll see familiar landscape features recreated on a playscape level.
2. Headframes
Headframes are an iconic symbol of Butte. You’ll see them in several different places, standing above old mine shafts. They were once used to lower workers into the mines and raise them out at the end of the day.
4. Big Butte
This popular hiking destination is the eroded neck of an extinct volcano, last active more than 49 million years ago.
6. Maude S Canyon
The Maude S Canyon hiking trail provides a great view of Our Lady of the Rockies and opportunities for observant hikers to see old evidence of mining.
Explore the Summit Valley
As you look out over the valley, you’ll see a place with a deep history and thriving community. Once the major copper producer in the United States, Butte contributed the raw materials that electrified the country in the 19th century. It was the largest city for miles during this mining boom. Known as the “richest hill on earth,” many of Butte’s attractions allow you a glimpse into the region’s history as well as a sense of the community today.
As you descend from the Continental Divide and explore the valley, here’s a list of places you’ll have the chance to visit.
1. World Museum of Mining
Located on the original site of the Orphan Girl Mine, World Museum of Mining explores the history of mining and culture of Butte with immersive experiences. Make sure to take the underground tour!
2. Headframes
Headframes are an iconic symbol of Butte. You’ll see them in several different places, standing above old mine shafts. They were once used to lower workers into the mines and raise them out at the end of the day.
3. Berkeley Pit
The Berkeley Pit was once an open pit copper mine, now one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States. This acidic pond dominates the Butte landscape, and you can check out an admission-based viewing stand for a closer look from a safe distance.
4. Big Butte
This popular hiking destination is the eroded neck of an extinct volcano, last active more than 49 million years ago.
5. Stodden Park
Stodden Park is an inclusive park for all abilities that celebrates the rich history of Butte through active play. You’ll see familiar landscape features recreated on a playscape level.
6. Maude S Canyon
The Maude S Canyon hiking trail provides a great view of Our Lady of the Rockies and opportunities for observant hikers to see old evidence of mining.