MT
Welcome to the Gold Bar Museum
It took many participants to make this true story happen. This included miners, assay personnel, investors, banks, newspapers, railroads, engravers, and artists. The whole story was the "brain child" and funded by Colonel Charles A. Broadwater. In September 1889 eight days before the gold bar was poured, Colonel Broadwater had just opened the Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium. He was also the President of the Montana National Bank and the President of the Montana Central Railway. The railway was a spur line of the Great Northern railroad running between Butte, Great Falls, and Helena including Rimini and Marysville gold camps. The Colonel and the Montana National Bank collected the gold that was used in the making of this large historical bar over a six year period. Although, most of the bullion was from the three mines; the Spotted Horse, Drum Lummon, and Jay Gould mines. One of Colonel Broadwater’s largest bars in his collection was 290 pounds. That bar was then melted as part of the making of this famous Gold Bar.
Tuesday, Sept. 3rd 1889 the largest gold bar in the world was poured at The U.S. Assay Office Helena located at
206 Broadway.
A pour this large was not common. The pour took 6- men 8- hours to complete using custom built molds and the largest crucible.
Gold Bar Facts:
Dimensions
Top 6.5" X 17"
Bottom: 7.5" X 18"
Height: 7.5"
434 pounds = 6,945 ounces
Gold per ounce in 1889 $18.93
Gold today: $2,391.61
per ounce
Gold Bar worth as of
July 5th, 2024
$16,609,731.00
Timeline and additional facts displayed below.
With the Colonel involved in hospitality, railroads, mining, real estate, banking, freight, and politics; he wanted to bring Montana to the attention of the world. Montana is rich in so many minerals. Ultimately, he wanted people to visit and invest in Montana. The purpose of this museum is to bring the 434 pound gold bar story to life.
Enjoy the many articles, newspaper clippings, and pictures as you tour the museum.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS FROM USA BETWEEN SEPT. 2 AND OCT 30TH.
1889
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Colonel Charles A. Broadwater
Newspaper print was the primary source for news during this era. Several articles, books, archives, pictures, and logs were used to assemble a timeline for the Gold Bar. The "Engraving Gold" and " Montana Mineral Monument" were created to be replicated and copyrighted pictures. Although, please feel free to reach out or share any historical information you may have about the Gold Bar at this link, . Enjoy touring the museum!
Journey of Gold Bar
VAULT AT HELENA ASSAY OFFICE
This is one of the vaults at the Helena Assay Office where the gold bar resided. Vault installed in 1875. Assay office opened in 1877.
MINNEAPOLIS INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION, PAMPHLET FROM THE 1889 EXPOSITION
This is the front of the pamphlet of the Industrial Exposition of 1889. The Gold Bar spent time on display on top of the Montana Mineral Monument. Monument displayed in the Manitoba Railroad area of the exposition on the second floor.
MINNEAPOLIS INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION BUILDING NEW IN 1886.
CHASE NATIONAL BANK NEW YORK CITY
Gold Bar here in the fall of 1889. This was the Chase National Bank and also the Clearing House.
U.S. ASSAY OFFICE, NEW YORK CITY. WALL STREET
BUILT IN 1823
Gold bar melted down into more manageable sizes. $5,000 and $10,000 bars more standard for selling and shipping. Money wired back to Montana.
Impact
What was the impact of the the largest gold bar in the world on Montana?
The gold bar cast in 1889 at the U.S. Assay Office in Helena, Montana, was significant for several reasons:
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Promotion of Montana's Mineral Resources: The massive gold bar, weighing 6,945 ounces (434 lbs), was created to showcase Montana's rich mineral resources and attract investment and development to the state. It was engraved with "Montana" on the front and displayed at various locations, including the Minneapolis Exposition and the Chase National Bank in New York City.
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Economic Impact: The gold bar was valued at $100,000 at the time, which is equivalent to over $16 million today. This significant value highlighted the economic potential of Montana's mining industry.
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Historical Context: The gold bar was cast in the same year Montana became a state, making it a symbol of the state's new status and its growing importance in the mining industry.
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Colonel Charles A. Broadwater's Role: The gold bar was commissioned by Colonel Charles A. Broadwater, a prominent businessman and civic leader, to promote Montana's resources and opportunities. Broadwater was the president of the Montana Central Railway and the founder of the Montana National Bank, and he had a significant influence on the state's development.
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U.S. Assay Office: The U.S. Assay Office in Helena, where the gold bar was cast, played a crucial role in the state's mining history. The office was established in 1877 and remained operational until 1934, serving as a key location for assaying and processing gold and silver from Montana's mines.
The gold bar's significance extends beyond its monetary value, as it represents Montana's rich mining history, its growth as a state, and the important role of the U.S. Assay Office in the state's development.
How did the casting of the gold bar impact Helena's economy?
The casting of the largest gold bar in the world in 1889 at the U.S. Assay Office in Helena, Montana, had a significant impact on Helena's economy:
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Promotion of Montana's Mineral Resources: The massive gold bar, weighing 434 pounds (6,945 ounces), was created to showcase Montana's rich mineral resources and attract investment and development to the state. This promotion helped to highlight the economic potential of Montana's mining industry, which in turn contributed to the growth of Helena's economy.
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Economic Impact of the U.S. Assay Office: The U.S. Assay Office in Helena, where the gold bar was cast, played a crucial role in the state's mining history. By 1900, the Helena office had melted $30,000,000 worth of gold into bars for the U.S. government. This significant economic activity contributed to the growth and development of Helena.
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Real Estate and Infrastructure Development: The gold bar was also intended to bring attention to real estate, the future Fort Harrison, hospitality, railroad, banking, and the many opportunities in the new state. This focus on development contributed to the growth of Helena's infrastructure and economy.
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Tourism and Legacy: Today, the story of the largest gold bar in the world is preserved at the Gold Bar Museum in Helena. The museum showcases the history of the gold bar and its significance in Montana's mining history. This attraction contributes to Helena's tourism industry, which is an important part of the local economy.