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

Boston Block

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

1. Boston Block Marker

Inscription. Historic maps and early directories reveal that this splendid business block was constructed circa 1890. Morris Auerbach, in business with Israel L. Israel and Adolph Marks during the 1890s, was the original occupant. Their Boston Clothing Company carried gentlemen’s furnished goods and advertised “One Price, Square Dealing, Plain Figures.” Upstairs were gambling and furnished rooms. During Prohibition Helena’s red light neighborhood disbursed, resurfacing in the Boston Block in 1927 when well-known madam Ida Levy located upstairs. She moved next door in 1933, and Pearl Maxwell operated the Royal Rooms in the Boston Block until 1953. The handsome building was a worthy companion to the flamboyant Novelty Block, also owned by Auerbach, which once stood several doors up to the north. The elaborately crowned twin bays of the two buildings were a downtown highlight. The cupolas of the Novelty Block today top the two kiosks on the north walking mall. The Boston Block’s handsome second story escaped the remodeling that changed its storefront. Sensitive rehabilitation during 1970s urban renewal assured this Victorian-era treasure

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

its rightful prominence along Last Chance Gulch.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 46° 35.168′ N, 112° 2.41′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on South Last Chance Gulch near East Broadway Street 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 South 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

Boston Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

2. Boston Block and Marker

The marker is below the "Wonderful Toys" awning.

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dunphy Block (a few steps from this marker); Sands Brothers Dry Goods (a few steps from this marker); Raleigh and Clarke Dry Goods (a few steps from this marker); St. Louis Block (a few steps from this marker); Earthquakes of 1935 (within shouting distance of this marker); California Wine House (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Helena Streetcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana's Capital (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Also see . . . The Red Light District -- Helena As She Was (helenahistory.org). Interesting photo gallery (Submitted on November 24, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Additional keywords. prostitution

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 24, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.