Wealth boom Helena, Montana

the st. helena cathedral.

by 1888, 50 millionaires lived in helena, more per capita in city in world. had made fortunes gold. $3.6 billion (in today s dollars) of gold taken last chance gulch on 20-year period. last chance placer 1 of famous placer deposits in western united states. of production occurred before 1868. of placer under streets , buildings of helena. (as late 1970s, when repairs being made bank, vein of placer gold found under bank s foundation).

this large concentration of wealth basis of developing fine residences , ambitious architecture in city; victorian neighborhoods reflect gold years. numerous miners attracted development of thriving red light district. among well-known local madams josephine chicago joe airey, built thriving business empire between 1874 , 1893, becoming 1 of largest , influential landowners in helena. brothels of helena successful part of local business community 20th century, ending 1973 death of helena s last madam, big dorothy baker.

the official symbol of helena drawing of guardian of gulch , wooden fire watch tower built in 1886. still stands on tower hill overlooking historic downtown district. fire tower replaced series of observation buildings, original being flimsy lookout stand built in 1870 on same site, built in response series of devastating fires: april 1869, november 1869, october 1871, august 1872 , january 1874 swept through mining camp.

the montana state capitol building.

in 1889, railroad magnate charles arthur broadwater opened hotel broadwater , natatorium west of helena. natatorium home world s first indoor swimming pool. damaged in earthquake of 1935, closed in 1941. many buildings on property demolished in 1976. today, broadwater fitness center stands west of hotel & natatorium s original location, complete outdoor pool heated natural spring water running underneath it.

helena has been capital of montana territory since 1875 , state of montana since 1889. in 1902, montana state capitol completed. large portion of conflict between marcus daly , william andrews clark (the copper kings) on location of state capital. until 1900 census, helena populated city in state. year surpassed butte, mining industry developing.

in 1916, united daughters of confederacy commissioned construction of confederate memorial fountain in hill park. confederate memorial in northwestern united states