| Description | 1 |
| Long Description | <DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/state_capitol.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Montana State Capitol</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_cathedral.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=140 HEIGHT=222 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Cathedral of St. Helena</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_overview.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Overview</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_mountain_bike.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Mountain bike</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_tour_train.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Tour Train</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_boat_tour.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Boat Tour</p></li></ul>
<P>Helena owes its existence to the discovery of placer gold, quartz gold, silver, and lead. Helena became the "Queen City of the Rockies" with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. In 1864 a group known as the "Four Georgians" (John Cowan, Daniel Jackson Miller, John Crab, and Reginald, or Robert Stanley) stumbled upon gold in what is now Helena's main street. The claim was staked and named "Last Chance Gulch."</p><p>In 1875, the territorial capital was moved from Virginia City to Helena. When Montana became a state, the fight for the location of the state capital pitted 'Copper King' Marcus Daly of <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=6">Anaconda</a> against rival William A. Clark, who supported Helena. Helena won, and in October 1898, ground was broken for the State Capitol Building.</p><p>Helena's glorious past can also be seen in the spectacular 19th-century mansions, historic Last Chance Gulch businesses, and restored pioneer dwellings. The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9548">Last Chance Tour Train</a> features informative, entertaining tours of the city. The tour begins at the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=2431">Montana Historical Society</a>. A one-hour train ride provides a spectacular tour of the Capital City, complete with a lesson in Helena's colorful history. Other impressive historical landmarks include the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9701">St. Helena Cathedral</a>, an imposing edifice, overlooking the downtown area, it is modeled after the cathedral in Cologne, Germany, and a replica of the Votive Church in Vienna and the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=376">Original Governor's Mansion</a> constructed in 1888, it contains 20 rooms all restored to turn-of-the-century elegance and furnished with antiques.</p><p>For a unique western experience <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=12748">Last Chance Ranch Wagonride</a> offers horse drawn wagon dinner rides to authentic teepee above town.</p><p>The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=2431">Montana Historical Society</a>, founded in 1865, houses one of the country's most important collections of Charles M. Russell art in the Mackay Gallery; the Haynes Gallery features the life and work of noted frontier photographer F. Jay Haynes.</p><p>The Helena area is known for sapphires as well as gold. By 1888, an estimated 50 millionaires made Helena their home. Last Chance Gulch produced an estimated $3.6 billion (in today's dollars) in gold over a 20-year period. The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11019">Spokane Bar Mine</a> is one of half a dozen digging sites, and numerous old mines and settlements exist nearby.</p><p>The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=13">Archie Bray Foundation</a> was established in 1951 on the site of a brick factory and attracts artists from around the world. Tour the studios and grounds of this unique endeavor in the ceramic arts.</p><p>Nearby the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=713">Missouri River</a> flows with several lakes within a short driving distance. <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11585">Holter Lake</a> and <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=13835">Hauser Reservoir</a> perfect for outdoor recreation including fishing, swimming, camping, water-skiing and boating. <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9999">Canyon Ferry Reservoir</a>, just 20 minutes east of Helena, is a large reservoir on the Missouri River offering outdoor recreation. In the winter ice sailing can be viewed on the lake. As Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River in this area, Meriwether Lewis was struck by the steep canyon walls and noted 'The Gates of the Mountains' in his journal. Boat tours are available at the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9683">Gates of the Mountains</a>, 16 miles north of Helena off I-15.</p><p>Elevation: 4,090 feet.</p> |
| History | <div class= "fotocolumn"><div class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_StateCapitolbuilding.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><div class="fotocap">State Capitol</div><p><div class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Barry Houser</div></div><div class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_St Helena Cathedral.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><div class="fotocap">Cathedral of St. Helena</div><p><div class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Barry Houser</div></div><div class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_FiretowerMount Helena.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><div class="fotocap">Fire Tower</div><p><div class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Barry Houser</div></div><div class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_Spring Meadow Park.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><div class="fotocap">Spring Meadow Park</div><div class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Barry Houser</div></div><div class="brewfoto"><center><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Helena_MTHistoricalSociety.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=117 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=BASELINE></center><div class="fotocap">Montana Historical<br>Society</div><div class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Barry Houser</div></div></div>
Helena owes its existence to the discovery of placer gold, quartz gold, silver, and lead. Helena became the “Queen City of the Rockies” with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. The first gold strike came in 1852 in Deer Lodge Valley; however, the rush for gold in Montana didn't start until 1862 with the strike at Bannack. In 1864 a group known as the “Four Georgians” (John Cowan, Daniel Jackson Miller, John Crab, and Reginald, or Robert Stanley) stumbled upon gold in what is now Helena's main street. The claim was staked and named “Last Chance Gulch.” The “Four Georgians” worked the gulch until 1867, when they went back East, taking large amounts of dust with them.
As the gulch began to fill with people, the miners decided they needed to come up with a name for the town. The “Four Georgians” originally named it Crabtown after John Crab, one of the founders. Searching for a new name, the miners decided on a name of a town in Minnesota, pronounced Saint Hel-E-na. The pronunciation changed, emphasizing the first syllable of Helena, and “Saint” was dropped from the name. <P>In 1875, Helena became the capital of Montana Territory. When Montana became a state, the fight for the location of the state capital pitted ‘Copper King' Marcus Daly of Anaconda against rival William A. Clark, who supported Helena. Helena won, and in October 1898, ground was broken for the State Capitol Building.
The historic downtown area of the capital city is situated in a steep gulch with parts of the city perched on surrounding hillsides. This picturesque setting opens up into a wide valley to the north. On the upper-eastside sits Montana's State Capitol. The State Capitol building is an excellent example of Greek Renaissance architecture, and the murals inside depict Montana historical themes. Helena's glorious past can also be seen in the spectacular 19th-century mansions, historic Last Chance Gulch businesses, and restored pioneer dwellings. The <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9548">Last Chance Tour Train</a> features informative, entertaining tours of the city. The tour begins at the <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=2431">Montana Historical Society</a>. A one-hour train ride provides a spectacular tour of the Capital City, complete with a lesson in Helena's colorful history. <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=12748">Last Chance Ranch Wagonride</a> offers a unique western experience with horse drawn wagon dinner ride to authentic teepee above town.
The <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9701">St. Helena Cathedral</a>, an imposing edifice, overlooks the downtown area. Modeled after the cathedral in Cologne, Germany, and a replica of the Votive Church in Vienna, the cathedral is a magnificent addition to its Rocky Mountain setting. Stained glass windows, white marble altars, statues, and genuine gold leaf decorate the sanctuary. Outside, majestic twin spires rise 230 feet above the street.
Regularly conducted tours of the <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=376">Original Governor's Mansion</a> constructed, in 1888 concentrate on the history of the house and its furnishings. It contains 20 rooms and seven fireplaces, all restored to turn-of-the-century elegance and furnished with antiques.
The Montana Historical Society, founded in 1865, houses one of the country's most important collections of Charles M. Russell art in the Mackay Gallery; the Haynes Gallery features the life and work of noted frontier photographer F. Jay Haynes.
The Museum of Gold collection at Norwest Bank displays gold dust to nuggets as big as 244 ounces. This tribute to Montana pioneers is valued at $600,000. The Helena area is known for sapphires as well as gold. By 1888, an estimated 50 millionaires made Helena their home. Last Chance Gulch produced an estimated $3.6 billion (in today's dollars) in gold over a 20-year period. The Spokane Bar Mine is one of half a dozen digging sites, and numerous old mines and settlements exist nearby.
The Archie Bray Foundation was established in 1951 on the site of a brick factory and attracts artists from around the world. Tour the studios and grounds of this unique endeavor in the ceramic arts.
The Helena area offers countless recreation opportunities. The Missouri River flows nearby with several lakes within a short driving distance. Holter and Hauser Lakes, created by two of the three dams on the Missouri River in the Helena area, are perfect for outdoor recreation including fishing, swimming, camping, water-skiing and boating. Canyon Ferry Lake, just 20 minutes east of Helena, is a large reservoir on the Missouri River that offers recreation in all forms. Camping, sailing, boating, swimming and fishing are just the start. You'll also see ice boaters here in the winter. <a href = "http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=9683">Gates of the Mountains</a>; as Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River in this area, Meriwether Lewis was struck by the steep canyon walls and noted ‘the Gates of the Mountains' in his journal. Boat tours are available at the Gates of the Mountains, 16 miles north of Helena off I-15. <P>Helena is just eight miles from the Continental Divide, and it is surrounded by mountains and National Forest Service land. The Elkhorn Wildlife Management Area, managed by the National Forest System, is a 129,000-acre area that is home to many indigenous animals, including big game.
Elevation: 4,090 feet.
<!--END CITY INFORMATION--->
|
| Id | 162 |
| Map | helena_and_deerlodge.gif |
| Created By | TRAVEL_MT |
| Date Created | 12/22/2004 11:43:04 AM |
| Hyperlinks |
|
| Locator Id | 10001650 |
| Map HTML Tag | <map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Wolf Creek, Montana" coords="130,26,208,49" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=367"><area shape="rect" alt="Three Forks, Montana" coords="147,214,192,249" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=328"><area shape="rect" alt="Toston, Montana" coords="193,197,227,210" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=329"><area shape="rect" alt="Townsend, Montana" coords="179,167,249,195" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=330"><area shape="rect" alt="Cardwell, Montana" coords="97,233,127,248" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=54"><area shape="rect" alt="Butte, Montana" coords="48,208,140,231" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=49"><area shape="rect" alt="Warm Springs, Montana" coords="16,173,65,196" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=349"><area shape="rect" alt="Radersburg, Montana" coords="117,196,173,207" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=268"><area shape="rect" alt="Boulder, Montana" coords="104,172,173,194" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=34"><area shape="rect" alt="Basin, Montana" coords="72,163,102,174" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=17"><area shape="rect" alt="Winston, Montana" coords="171,144,204,157" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=364"><area shape="rect" alt="Jefferson City, Montana" coords="117,157,168,170" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=181"><area shape="rect" alt="Clan |
| Map X | 493 |
| Map Y | 474 |
| Name | HELENA |
| Region | GOLD WEST |
| State | MT |
| Weather URL | 163 |
| Zip code | 59625, 59604, 59620, 59601, 59626, 59602, 59624, 59623 |