- Guided tours of the Copper King Mansion
are available throughout the year. Guides lead tours through
the 34-room Victorian mansion elaborating on the history of the
building and the people who built it and made it their home,
about the many unique aspects of the mansion's construction and
operation and about the many original artifacts that furnish
the
 mansion.
W.A. Clark retained C.H. Brown of Los Angeles as the architect
and construction began in 1884 with the mansion completed in
1888. Construction was under the direction of D.T. McDevitt with
the woodwork the responsibility of W.F. Beall & Co. from
Chicago. The materials for the home were all imported at a cost
of about $200,000.
During construction, W.A. Clark brought in artists who hand painted
a different fresco ceiling in each room. Long before the arrival
of power tools, craftsmen hand carved and hand finished all of
the woodwork, including the original fireplaces, the bookcases
and the main staircase. There are nine different woods in the
home. Nothing has evern been done to alter the original woodwork
other than washing with soap and water.
All the chandeliers are original with the exception of the kitchen
and ballroom. The perfectionism in the construction of the mansion
brought the total cost of construction to over a quarter million
dollars by 1888.
In 1917, Senator Clark added onto the home. As of yet, we have
not been able to ascertain the cost of the addition. If Senator
Clark's income was indeed close to 17 million dollars a month,
the cost of this home represents about a half day
of his income.
Tour Times
The mansion is open daily for guided
tours based on the following seasonal schedule:
April -- weekends only, on the hour from 9 am to 4 pm.
May -- every day on the hour every hour from 9 am to 4 pm.
June, July, and August -- guided tours are available upon your
arrival from 9 am to 4 pm.
September -- every day on the hour from 9 am to 4 pm.
October through March -- guided tours are available by appointment
only. Call ahead to schedule a tour.
Group Tours
For groups such as school groups,
art classes, and conference attendees we have special discounts
for guided tours. Call ahead for details to 406-782-7580.
Tour Rates
The guided tour costs $7.50 for adults
and $3.50 for children. The tour is
free for overnight guests. To arrange a tour or to reserve a
room for the night, call 406-782-7580 or send e-mail to thecopperkingmansion@gmail.com.
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