The Mill Building
The second building on campus was built in 1908. The president of Montana Tech (then the Montana School of Mines) combined two separate direct appropriates from the Montana Legislature to build this building. One appropriation was for a metallurgical lab and the other was earmarked for a central heating plant for the school. This dual purpose building contained a new, central-heating plant and was originally named the Metallurgical Building. This building furnished steam heat to Main Hall. It also housed an ore dressing and metallurgical laboratory. It was designed in Renaissance Revival style to compliment Main Hall.
In 1923 assay labs and equipment were modernized and a flotation plant was installed a few years later.
In 1997, the building was renovated. After an extensive hazardous substance abatement program to remove the asbestos and other toxins contained within the now removed smoke stack, the building was opened for public use.
In 1998, upon completion of the renovation, the building was re-dedicated to the students of Montana Tech. Students now enjoy coffee from the Coffee Mill, a general seating/study area as well as the Chancellor’s and Alumni lounges. These lounges are available for studying or hosting special occasions. Events like the Scholars Reception and the Winter Ball are often held in the common area. A computer classroom/lab and an administrative office sit across from the lounges on the second floor.
Visitors and campus regulars will notice the trophy case, dedicated to the Environmental Engineering Design Team on the landing between the first and second floors. Montana Tech students have a tradition of success when competing against schools from across the nation in the WERC-sponsored environmental design competition.
