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

Placer Hotel

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

1. Placer Hotel Marker

Inscription. Artist C. M. Russell illustrated the program for the formal ball, held April 12, 1913, inaugurating the largest hotel between the Twin Cities and the Coast. Built almost entirely with donations as a public enterprise, Helena felt real pride of ownership and the Placer quickly became the center of civic activity. Its name derives from the placer gold washed from the gravel during the excavation of its foundation. Architect George H. Carsley designed the building in consultation with Cass Gilbert, architect of New York’s famed Woolworth Building. The Placer’s wrought iron balconies, overhanging eaves, and wide cornice are reminiscent of the nearby Montana Club, designed by Gilbert in 1905. The seven-story hotel was constructed of reinforced concrete and Western Clay Manufacturing Company (now the Archie Bray Foundation) brick. Each of its 172 guest rooms, arranged around a U-shape, opened onto the outside. Custom-made china, cutlery, and bed linens—supplied by Helena’s New York Store—all bore the hotel’s prospector insignia. The hotel featured a carriage entrance, a lobby fireplace built for seven-foot logs, and a state-of-the-art

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

kitchen with an automatic dishwasher and central refrigeration system.

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. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1913.

Location. 46° 35.242′ N, 112° 2.351′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on North Last Chance Gulch near East Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 N 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

Placer Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

2. Placer Hotel and Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance.

walking distance of this marker: First National Bank Securities Building (a few steps from this marker); Atlas Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Helena, Financial Center of Montana (within shouting distance of this marker); Diversity in Helena (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana's Capital (about 300 feet away); Original Helena Streetcar (about 400 feet away); 116 Broad Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Placer Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

3. Placer Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 503 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.