Montana State Nickname: The Treasure State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Treasure State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Treasure State
People call Montana the Treasure State because of the gold, silver, and copper discoveries that shaped the region during the 1800s. The nickname reflects the importance of mining in Montana’s early history and economic development. Other names also appear in common use, including Big Sky Country and the Last Best Place.
Meaning of 'The Treasure State'
Gold brought the first wave of miners to Montana in 1862 after discoveries near Bannack. Silver mining expanded rapidly through the 1870s and 1880s, particularly around Butte. By the early 1900s, Butte produced more copper than any other location on Earth, which gave the city its reputation as the Richest Hill on Earth.
Newspapers and mining reports from the late 1800s used the Treasure State to describe what miners were pulling from underground. Sapphires and garnets added to the mineral wealth. Montana still produces gold and silver today, though mining no longer dominates the economy the way it did a century ago.
The Treasure State is Montana’s recognized state nickname, established through long-standing public and governmental use rather than formal legislative designation. For many years, Montana license plates featured the phrase Big Sky Country, while the Treasure State remained widely used in tourism, business, and educational materials.
Other Nicknames
Big Sky Country
Writer A.B. Guthrie Jr. published a novel called The Big Sky in 1947 about fur trappers and mountain men in early Montana. The title stuck with readers because Montana's low population density means fewer obstructions between observers and the horizon. State legislators made Big Sky Country the official slogan in 1962. Vehicle license plates displayed the phrase from 1967 to 1975, and it remains the most recognized alternative to the Treasure State today. The Montana nickname Big Sky Country origin traces directly to Guthrie's novel, though the geography makes the description accurate. Businesses across the state still use Big Sky in their names decades after the book appeared.
The Last Best Place
A 1988 anthology of Montana writing carried this title and collected essays and stories about life in the state. Writers described Montana as a place where open space, clean air, and distance from urban crowding still existed. The Montana nickname the Last Best Place origin came from these literary works rather than mining or geography. Some residents use the phrase when explaining why they choose to live in Montana. Official materials mention it less frequently than Big Sky Country or the Treasure State.
Land of Shining Mountains
Spanish explorers named the region Montaña, meaning mountain, and snow on the peaks creates visible reflections from far away. The Rocky Mountains cover the western third of Montana and include dozens of separate ranges. People used Land of Shining Mountains occasionally during the territorial period before 1889 statehood. Modern usage is rare. Most residents prefer Big Sky Country when they need an alternative to the Treasure State.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
The Montana nickname and motto both reference mining: the state motto Oro y Plata means Gold and Silver in Spanish.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Comprehensive article covering Montana's history, geography, and various nicknames including the Treasure State and Big Sky Country
Official university resource describing Montana's nicknames, state symbols, and historical background