Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Diversity in Helena
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021
1. Diversity in Helena Marker
Inscription.
Diversity in Helena. . Before the discovery of cold this valley knew only the Indian or the occasional trapper; however by 1867 nearly 7,000 people had poured into the gulch, Last Chance Mining Camp, became Helena, and a new city was born. , Helena truly became a "melting pot". A Chinese community flourished at the south end of town while the Black, German, and Scandinavian population were large enough to support their own newspapers. The city could even boast a synagogue. , Irish, Welsh, Italian, and English also migrated to the "Queen City of the Rockies". Many of the buildings today were constructed by these early settlers. , Much of the stone used is native and 75 percent of the brick was made locally. A stroll through town will treat visitors to a display of the craftsmanship which contributed greatly to the making of the city.
Before the discovery of cold this valley knew only the Indian or the occasional trapper; however by 1867 nearly 7,000 people had poured into the gulch, Last Chance Mining Camp, became Helena, and a new city was born.
Helena truly became a "melting pot". A Chinese community flourished at the south end of town while the Black, German, and Scandinavian population were large enough to support their own newspapers. The city could even boast a synagogue.
Irish, Welsh, Italian, and English also migrated to the "Queen City of the Rockies". Many of the buildings today were constructed by these early settlers.
Much of the stone used is native and 75 percent of the brick was made locally. A stroll through town will treat visitors to a display of the craftsmanship which contributed greatly to the making of the city.
Location. 46° 35.282′ N, 112° 2.34′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker is on North Last Chance Gulch near East 6th Avenue, on the left when traveling north. This portion of Last Chance Gulch is a pedestrian mall and is closed to vehicular traffic. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
