East Helena, Montana, developed in the late 19th century as a result of industrial expansion driven by the Northern Pacific Railroad and the region’s rich mining activity. In 1883, the railroad established a branch line east of Helena, which created a strategic location for ore processing. Five years later, in 1888, a large lead smelter was constructed along Prickly Pear Creek, marking the formal beginnings of the East Helena community.

Originally operated by the Helena and Livingston Smelting and Reduction Company, the smelter processed silver and lead ores from surrounding mining districts. The arrival of the smelter spurred the rapid growth of East Helena, as workers and their families settled in the area, leading to the construction of housing, schools, and businesses. Much of this early community was made up of Eastern and Southern European immigrants—particularly Slovenians, Croatians, Poles, Czechs, Montenegrins, Italians, and Irish—who built churches, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions that shaped the town’s identity. In 1890, the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) acquired the smelter, which would remain in operation for over 100 years.

During its peak, the smelter processed approximately 70,000 tons of lead bullion annually and supported the livelihoods of thousands of workers. However, these industrial activities also left behind significant environmental contamination. In 1984, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the area as a Superfund Cleanup Site due to soil and groundwater pollution. ASARCO’s smelting operations ceased in 2001.

Following ASARCO’s bankruptcy, the Montana Environmental Trust Group (METG) was appointed trustee of the Montana Environmental Custodial Trust in 2009. METG has overseen the environmental cleanup and ongoing efforts to restore and repurpose the site, signaling a transition from East Helena’s industrial past toward a more sustainable future. 

Now, East Helena is turning the page with the creation of Rose Hills, a new neighborhood that will transform portions of the former smelter site into a thriving community. Designed with the future in mind, Rose Hills will feature modern housing options, inviting community spaces, and strong connections to East Helena’s schools, trails, and natural surroundings.

More than just a housing development, Rose Hills embodies East Helena’s evolution from a town once defined by industry to one defined by resilience, restoration, and renewal. Much like the smelter once symbolized opportunity for early residents, Rose Hills represents a new chapter of growth that honors the community’s history while embracing a healthier, more sustainable, and more connected future.