As the Montana state capital, Helena obviously plays an important role in Montana as a whole, though at 28,000 people, it’s a relatively small capital city.  Helena is surrounded by mountains, and is within a short drive to Canyon Ferry Reservoir, a beautiful place for boating and camping.  Residents of the city enjoy the outdoors, and most blend a hard-working, agricultural lifestyle with camping, fishing and hunting.  Of course, this all exists in balance with the many politically-oriented people and organizations who call the city home.

Helena is also marked by the mining boom that hit the state in the late 1800’s.  Many of the streets of the city were laid out based on the chaotic paths of miners following gulches and navigating to various mining claims.  And like Butte, the hard-working ethic that comes with that sort of lifestyle still exists in Helena.  People work hard so they can get to the mountains and rivers on the weekends.