Anaconda Smelter Stack

Anaconda Smelter Stack is an industrial chimney in Anaconda, Montana, rising 178 meters above the valley floor and resting on a massive concrete foundation. The outer walls are built from brickwork that tapers upward, reaching a diameter of just over 26 meters at the top.

Alphonis Chimney Construction Company erected the tower in 1918 to carry emissions from the nearby copper smelter operated by a major mining enterprise. Operations ended in 1980 when the facility shut down and the last generation of workers left their posts.

The tower takes its name from the company that shaped the identity of this mining town for decades, giving work to thousands who lived in its shadow. Families still speak about the years when smoke rose from the top and the smelter defined daily life in the valley.

The state park opens during daylight and allows visitors to explore the grounds surrounding the base without requiring admission fees. Montana residents gain automatic access to the park through the annual vehicle registration program included with their license plates.

The tower holds the record as the tallest freestanding brick chimney of its kind anywhere in the world, exceeding comparable structures by sheer scale. At the base, the octagonal shape is clearly visible, and specialized openings near the top once directed exhaust gases upward.

Location: Anaconda

Inception: May 5, 1919

Elevation above the sea: 1,755 m

Height: 178.35 m

Width: 26.24 m

Made from material: brick, concrete

GPS coordinates: 46.11028,-112.91361

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:54