An early-1900s view, looking north from the 1886 Montana National Bank building, Main Street (Last Chance Gulch) at Edwards St. This building was destroyed by fire in 1944, but a famous remnant of it still survives in Helena. Can you name it?
The building on the left, on the north side of Edwards St., was the 1890 Merchants National Bank (later Union Bank & Trust Co.). It was taken down in 1975, during Urban Renewal. Edwards St. was also eliminated during that time.
On the right is the still-standing Securities Building, built in 1886 by Samuel T. Hauser as the First National Bank.
On the lower right is the 1887 Thompson Block, which was taken down in 1912 for construction of the Placer Hotel, now the Placer Condominiums. Note the "Capital Clothing" awning, as well as the hat-shaped sign on the roof.
Most of the other buildings seen on the east side of Main (LCG) in this block were lost to Urban Renewal. The Pittsburgh Block, Holter Hardware building, and the Beveridge Block among them. Only the Goodkind Building, on the southeast corner of Sixth and LCG, survives.
Thanks to the Helena/Lewis & Clark Heritage Tourism Council for sharing another great image!
A colorized 1910 view of the Helena Cab Co., which was on the northeast corner of Park and Edwards.
This Moorish Revival livery stable and garage was built in 1907 by Joseph Murray and Jacob Fischer, both notables in the Helena livery business.
It was an up-to-date facility, advertising a horsey-odor-free experience for customers, along with other modern conveniences such as a separate waiting room for women.
From the start, plans were in place to dedicate part of the facility to the repair and servicing of automobiles, which was ultimately its function over the decades.
This building was last known as the Porter Garage, and was demolished in 1968, at the start of Helena's Urban Renewal projects.
Elements of the Moorish Revival design of the building are certainly reminiscent of the 1921 Helena Civic Center, but I'm unsure if the same architect was involved.
The illustration is from the souvenir booklet of the 26th Annual Encampment of the Montana Grand Army of the Republic ...
A then-and-now view of Neill Avenue, highlighting Eck's Toys and Hobbies in 1974. Eck's was a happy destination for many Helena kids and hobbyists.
Norm and Elaine Eck originally opened the shop at 15 Placer St. in October of 1959. It was moved to the Neill Ave. location, a former garage, in October of 1963. Eck sold the business to Joe and Arlene King in 1974.
Vintage photo courtesy of Janet Eck Bloom.
The earthquake-shattered 1890 Montana National Guard Arsenal, 1029 (now numbered 1025) N. Warren St. The rear of the building was also badly damaged.
Guard equipment continued to be stored in the wrecked Arsenal until it was finally demolished in the spring of 1939. The lot remained vacant until at least 1955.
For more about the Arsenal, please take the link in the comments below...
