Steadfast atop the 3,500 foot wall of the East Ridge of the Continental Divide, Our Lady of the Rockies overlooks the Mile High city of Butte at her 8,510 perch. Standing as the second tallest statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty, Our Lady is dedicated to the women and mothers all across the world of every race, color and creed. This 90 foot statue was the result of one man's promise, a Montana local by the name of Bob O'Bill, to the Virgin Mary while his wife was fighting cancer. Mr. O'Bill told himself that if his prayers were answered that he would build a nine foot statue for his yard in return for his wife's healthy recovery. Following her victory over the cancer, he began construction but that promise soon became a larger dream. Mathematically, a dream ten times bigger than before!
With the support and contributions of the community, the construction of this masterpiece began in 1979 by people of different walks of life and even creed. Set in place at the top of the ridge in December 1985, eight days before Christmas by the help of the Nevada Air National Guard's helicopter lift, Bob's vision came true and his promise answered. Now, this stark white statue looks over the hard-working mothers and women down below and all across the world - Day and Night, 365 days a year.
