Looking over the intersection of Main and Broadway, circa 1920. The photo was probably taken from the Montana National Bank building, Main at Edwards.
Gans & Klein was a pioneer Helena purveyor of clothing for men and boys, along with hydraulic mining supplies, which were a holdover from their earliest days. They were in business from 1866 to 1926, and occupied several locations over the years.
Parchen Drug was in business in Helena, in several locations under various owners, from 1865 to 1966.
In the distance is the Family Theater, which operated in the old St. Louis Hotel building. It was Helena's leading vaudeville venue for a number of years, until the opening of the Marlow Theatre in 1918. The former hotel fronted on Jackson St., but connected to Main through 21 S. Main, where the Ghost Art Gallery is now.
Photo courtesy of the Helena/Lewis & Clark County Heritage Tourism Council, from the Jorud photography collection.
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...
