Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Atlas Block
Helena Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021
1. Atlas Block Marker
Inscription.
Atlas Block. Helena Historic District. The fanciful façade of this nineteenth-century showcase was intended to convey a powerful message. Completed in 1889 for the insurance company of Samuel J. Jones at a cost of $40,000, the vivid imagery is an advertisement, showing how insurance offered protection against the ever-present danger of fire. Stylized flames on a metal cornice lap at the top of the building while salamanders, mythical creatures believed to be immune to fire, cavort above the flames. The central figure of Atlas holds the weight of the building on his shoulders. Originally there were two storefronts on the west ground floor and two that opened at the second-floor level onto Jackson Street. The New York Store (one of Helena’s early department stores) and a saloon were among the tenants during the 1890s. This exceptional building, with its grand off-center arched entry and rough granite detailing, is an excellent example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture, inspired by H. H. Richardson. Designed by Helena architects Shaffer and Stranahan, the Atlas Block bears a striking resemblance to Richardson’s Crane Library, built in 1883 at Quincy, Massachusetts.
The fanciful façade of this nineteenth-century showcase was intended to convey a powerful message. Completed in 1889 for the insurance company of Samuel J. Jones at a cost of $40,000, the vivid imagery is an advertisement, showing how insurance offered protection against the ever-present danger of fire. Stylized flames on a metal cornice lap at the top of the building while salamanders, mythical creatures believed to be immune to fire, cavort above the flames. The central figure of Atlas holds the weight of the building on his shoulders. Originally there were two storefronts on the west ground floor and two that opened at the second-floor level onto Jackson Street. The New York Store (one of Helena’s early department stores) and a saloon were among the tenants during the 1890s. This exceptional building, with its grand off-center arched entry and rough granite detailing, is an excellent example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture, inspired by H. H. Richardson. Designed by Helena architects Shaffer and Stranahan, the Atlas Block bears a striking resemblance to Richardson’s Crane Library, built in 1883 at Quincy, Massachusetts.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 46° 35.225′ N, 112° 2.357′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker 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: 7 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
From the marker: Stylized flames on a metal cornice lap at the top of the building while salamanders, mythical creatures believed to be immune to fire, cavort above the flames.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
