The capital of Montana is Helena, a city with a population of about 30, 000 people. It is the state's second-largest city and is located in the western part of the state. Helena was founded in 1864 during the gold rush and was named after the daughter of a miner. It is the county seat of Lewis and Clark County and is home to the Montana State Capitol building. Helena is known for its historic downtown area, which features many Victorian-style buildings.