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John Crab, John
Cowan, Daniel Jackson Miller, and Reginald/Robert Stanley (the "Four
Georgians") found placer gold (quartz gold, silver, and lead, too)
along "Last Chance Creek," today's "Main Street." The Crabtown name was changed
to Helena at the suggestion of John Sommerville, who originated from Saint
Helena, Minnesota.
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US Dream Towns 2008 - #5 on the List is Helena, Montana...
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Stunning Montana Log Home |
Though Captain John
Wood surveyed the property of the original townsite in 1865, by
1868, most of the $3.6 billion (in present dollars) of gold had been taken from
Last Chance Gulch, part of which is now a pleasing, three block long walking
mall with a strip of useful stores and a mock stream, simulating the original
Last Chance Creek, running the length of this downtown Helena walking mall.
Interestingly, Helena's circuitous street pattern is due in
part to the early Helena gold miners' chaotic system of paths through
these Montana gold
fields.
Much of Helena,
Montana's remaining stately real estate consists of the many mansions
built by those who struck it rich in the mines. Slightly north of the Mansion
District, is Reeder’s Alley, home to Helena's oldest house, 212 S.Park Ave, and
a restored remnant of 1870's commercial real estate in the form of miner’s
village with its historic buildings, now home to cafes and shops.
Helena,
Montana was the capital of Montana
Territory from 1875-1888. When Montana became a state in 1889 it
continued on as the capital, and in 1902 the State of Montana's
Capitol, designed in the architectural building style of Greek Renaissance,
opened. The Governor's Mansion, constructed in 1888, offers regular tours. The
twin spires of St. Helena Cathedral, a replica of the Votive Church in Vienna,
are visible above the downtown streets. The Mackay Gallery houses a large art
collection of the great western artist, Charles M. Russell.
Some of the Helena,
MT regional geographic attractions include: the Gates of the Mountains
Wilderness, whose name was coined by Meriwether Lewis; Lake Helena; Holter and
Hauser Lakes, created by two of the three Missouri River dams; The Elkhorn
Mountains and the 129,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Area; the Continental
Divide; Canyon Ferry Lake; Mount Helena City Park; the one million acre, Helena
National Forest; Spring Meadow Lake State Park; The Missouri River; The Big Belt
Mountains; and the Great Divide Ski Area.
Helena, Montana has a modern
airport; both national chain and local retail stores; great schools; a
vibrant night-life; art galleries; music venues; pubs and
eateries; abundant outdoor activities, from hiking to boating; and the
Capital campus to explore. Find Helena, Montana real estate: log homes,
commercial real estate, Montana land, building lots,
waterfront property, and more. |
