Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

First National Bank Securities Building

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

1. First National Bank Securities Building Marker

Inscription. This magnificent structure was the second home of Montana Territory’s first bank, chartered in 1866. Combining Romanesque, French Second Empire, and popular Victorian-period stylistic elements, the talented St. Paul firm of Hodgson, Wallingford and Stem created a three-story masterpiece of native granite and brown Wisconsin sandstone. The bank occupied the building from its completion in 1886 to 1931. The Securities Building, as it is known today, stands as witness to Helena’s great prosperity in the 1880s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 46° 35.252′ N, 112° 2.347′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on North Last Chance Gulch near East 6th Avenue, on the right 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

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address: 21 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Gold West Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Placer Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Atlas Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Diversity in Helena (within shouting distance of this marker); Helena, Financial Center of Montana (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Gold Block (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana's Capital (about 400 feet away); Original Helena Streetcar (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

First National Bank Securities Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

2. First National Bank Securities Building and Marker

The Bullwhacker statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

3. The Bullwhacker statue

Commerce that started during Helena's Gold Rush Days continued to flourish. Traders were supplied by freight wagons from Fort Benton
Driven by noice, the oxen responded to the crack of the whip over their heads and the constant curses of the Bullwhacker,

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.