Butte-Silver Bow renovations on courthouse dome are now complete. The courthouse is excited to finish the reconstruction of its 102-year-old glass dome.
The project started in 2011, when many of the commissioners started to notice the original dome was starting to deteriorate.
"As the metal places move, that loosens up some of the glass pieces, and we were concerned of those pieces starting to fall and creating safety concerns," said Butte-Silver Bow Historic Presentation Officer Jim Jarvis.
The historical glass dome in the courthouse is over 22 feet in diameter across the ceiling and more than 60 feet in the air.
All of the glass in the century-old glass dome was used in the renovation. Residents, along with Silver Bow officials, are excited to see the plans become a reality.
"It's a crown jewel of Butte, it truly is, and the people understand that and they respect that...What this courthouse has seen and its days, as far as history, and all of the diverse cultures that have passed through its doors," said Silver Bow Government Buildings Manager Pat Holland.
The project was funded by taxpayer dollars used to preserve historical structures.
"Ultimately it all worked out pretty well, in terms of the money that we had available and the costs involved in doing the job and doing it right," said Holland.