EAST HELENA, Montana Community Information

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  East Helena Parade & Rodeo

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  Kefflner Ranch home of the Wild West Fest

  Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui

East Helena was named for its location in relation to Helena. Many of the first settlers came from the Balkan countries shortly after 1900. It is a smelter town for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Gold, silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from Montana and Idaho are shipped to reduction furnaces here. This is one of Montana's three major operating smelters. Inquire for permission to visit this smelter; see its four furnaces with annual capacity of a quarter of a million tons of ore. These furnaces have operated since 1889. The ASARCO smelter is the lone remaining custom lead smelter in the United States.

East Helena's Kennedy Park is the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor function. The park has a pavilion equipped with electricity and running water. Horseshoe pits, an area to play volleyball and a tennis court are just some of the features the park offers. A public swimming pool is located adjacent to the park.

The area around East Helena is also blessed with plenty of wildlife and recreation opportunities on Holter, Hauser and Canyon Ferry Lakes, which were all created by dams on the Missouri River.