1<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---> helena_and_deerlodge.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:04162YLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.carroll.eduYLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.umhelena.eduYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.downtownhelena.comYLOCAL NEWSPAPERShttp://helenair.comYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.helenachamber.comYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.southwestmt.comYTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://www.ci.helena.mt.us/index.php?id=393YTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://www.helenaairport.comYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.travelhelena.comYMOBILE APPLICATIONShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/helena-walking-tours/id573045692?mt=8YMOBILE APPLICATIONShttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maddenmedia.helenaYLOCAL INFORMATIONhttp://www.bikehelena.com10001650<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><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="Clan493474HELENAGOLD WEST13Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts1108Cemetery Island1110Chalet Recreation Area1115Chinamens Gulch1129Confederate Recreation Area1130Cottonwood Recreation Area1132Court Sheriff Campground1176Fish Hawk1246Helena Valley Reservoir1249Hellgate Recreation Area1281Jo Bonner Campground1292Kim's Marina & RV Resort1376Original Governor's Mansion1386PRO Outfitters1389Pioneer Cabin1642Montana Office of Tourism1670Budget Inn Express1671Delta Hotels Helena Colonial1672Days Inn1689Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area1708Helena National Forest1962The Sanders - Helena's Bed and Breakfast11244Howard Johnson by Wyndham Helena11246Baymont Inn & Suites by Wyndham11248Best Western Helena Capital11250Knight's Extended Stay11252Lamplighter Motel11255DoubleTree11258Super 8 - Helena11507Wild West Outfitters11702Big Sky Expeditions LLC11940Lakeside on Hauser12045White Earth Campground12123Bill Roberts Golf Course12175Cromwell Dixon Campground12187Kading Campground12431Montana Heritage Center12443Moose Creek Campground12451Vigilante Campground12605Park Lake Campground12706Hertz Car Rental12707Alamo/National Car Rental12986Mike Niles Outfitting13027Helena North KOA13050Coulter Campground13087Black Sandy State Park13092Spring Meadow Lake State Park13150Holter Museum of Art13206Enterprise Rent-A-Car13628St. Peter's Cathedral13864Causeway13878Goose Bay13879Lorelei13880Mahogany Cove13889Scooter Bay13892Indian Road13904Riverside Campground13911Shannon Recreation Area13954Elkhorn State Park14501Hidden Lake Trail14502Hanging Valley National Recreation Trail14503Big Log Gulch Trail14504Meriwether Canyon Trail14505Missouri Beaver Creek Trail14507Missouri River Canyon Trail14508Refrigerator Canyon Trail14511Trout Creek Canyon Trail14512Montgomery Park Trail14513McClellan Creek Trail14515Blackfoot Meadows Trail14516Casey Meadows Trail14519Maupin/Willard Creek Trail14523Larabee Gulch Trail14524Monarch Creek Trail14525Mount Helena Ridge - National Recreation Trail14526Casey Peak Trail15949State Capitol Grounds and Trail15993Magpie System Snowmobile Trail15994Minnehaha/Beaver Creek Loop Snowmobile Trail15995Minnehaha-Irish Mine Snowmobile Trail15996Marysville/Austin System Snowmobile Trail16205MacDonald Pass Cross Country Ski Trails16313Indian Flats Cabin16314Kading Cabin16357Helena Ranger District16757Marysville16775Rimini16853Morris Murdock Travel17640On Broadway18379Windbag Saloon & Grill18682La Quinta Inn & Suites - Helena18806Last Chance Stampede & Fair18926Governor's Cup Road Race18996Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment19547Grandstreet Theatre19548Last Chance Tour Train19655Rimini-Elliston-Basin Snowmobile Loop19656Ten Mile Picnic Area19683Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours19686The Myrna Loy19701Cathedral of St. Helena19850Helena Regional Airport19972Montana State Capitol19999Canyon Ferry Reservoir110361Grizzly Gulch110370Lump Gulch110559Taco Bell - Helena110583Montana Nugget Casino110601Grub Stake Lounge and Restaurant111019Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine and Gold Fever Rock Shop111161Reeder's Alley111404Old Fire Tower (Guardian of the Gulch)111481Upper Missouri River Canoe Guides111542Downtown Helena111618Fairfield Inn & Suites111781Helena Symphony111869Last Chance Community Powwow111893The Parrot Confectionery111911G&L Transit, Inc.111924Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness112503Carolina B&B112543Skalkaho Pass112667Great Divide Cyclery112680Helena Convention and Visitors Bureau112748Last Chance Ranch Wagonride Dinner Show113064Steffano's U-Bake Pizza & Sub-Shoppe113103Don't Fence Me In Trail Run113225York Bridge113300Grand Lodge of Montana Museum and Library113311Mountain Sage Gallery113375Alive @ Five113488Great Northern Carousel113506Hampton Inn113668Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel114004Sleepy Senator Tourist House114096Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds114152Blackfoot River Brewing Company114153Lewis & Clark Brewing Company114456Devil's Elbow Campground114548The Great Northern B&B114808David Payne Outdoors114835Ghost Art Gallery114875Crown Butte Preserve115037Park Avenue Bakery & Cafe115141Birds & Beasleys115282Montana Fishing Outfitters115531Symphony Under the Stars115671Helena Skate Park115779Lasso the Moon Toys115780Montana Book Company115785Cobblestone Clothing Co.115787Sole Sisters115789Golden Girls Antique Mall115791Eaton Turner Jewelry115792Lewis & Clark: The Montana Experience115806Silver Star Steak Company115809Fire Tower Coffee House115810Last Chance Creperie115811Mediterranean Grill115813Real Food Market and Deli115816Lucca's115848Cinemark 8 Theater116082Miller's Crossing116110Jorgenson's Restaurant & Lounge116242Wendy's116335The Dive Bakery Cafe116359ExplorationWorks116572Montana Inn116754Feathered Pipe Ranch: Yoga & Personal Growth Retreat Center116758Helena Farmers Market116974Montana Backcountry Yurts, LLC d/b/a Yurtski117076The Essence of Whitefish117129Capital Transit117315Helena Civic Center117371Wings Across the Big Sky Bird Festival117458Chili's Grill & Bar117532Moose Creek Cabin117597Rivers Edge Retreat118200Big Dipper Ice Cream118241Residence Inn by Marriott118290Comfort Suites Helena - Airport118606Steve's Cafe118644CrossCurrents Fly Shop Helena118667Last Chance Splash Waterpark & Pool118755Holiday Inn Express & Suites118819The Westland Suite118932Best Place on the Missouri River119583Panda Express119660Big Sky Hidden Village Condo119807Big Horn 29119918Black Mountain Lodge120045Gulch Distillers120100A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios120197Helena Town Car Company120398Ten Mile Creek Brewery120549The Bunkhouse Helena120573Capital Sports120576Moose Junction120719Summer Star Ranch120853Bill Roberts Golf Course Ski Tracks121071Tell Us Something "Didn't See That Coming"121116Wood River House121473The Eagle's Nest121600Oddfellow Inn & Farm121609Hayes House121640Canyon Ferry RV Park & RV & Boat Storage121660Copper Furrow Brewing121695Grizzly Gardens121720Cokahlaishkit-Blackfoot River Retreat121794The Homestead121874Agee Outfitting121877Women's Policy Leadership Institute121909GUIDE-X122096Wake the Giant Music Festival122111Speakeasy 41 Brewing Company122204Helena HandMADE fair122245Annual Montana History Conference122265The Hawthorn Bottleshop & Tasting Room122294Omerta Arts122308Grey Sandy Campground122309Mt Ascension Brewing122313Wassweiler Dinner House & Mercantile122315Montana Wild122316The Hopper Kitchen and Market122317Montana Wild Education Events122325Summer Star Ranch ATV Rentals122339Helena History Tours122382Made in Montana Tradeshow122398Sunshine Taxi LLC122401Montana Hunting & Fishing Outfitters122494Wooden Hollow Disc Golf Course122496The Union122497Old Salt Outpost122506MTBCity122528Rise N Shine Cafe122549The Hauntings of Last Chance Gulch: Helena Ghost Tours122602TAE & the Neighborly122667Grizzly Gardens MT122681Judith Landing State Park122732272 Miner Point, LLC1MT16359625, 59604, 59620, 59601, 59626, 59602, 59624, 59623