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

Uncle Sam's Block

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

1. Uncle Sam's Block Marker

Inscription. The Montana National Bank, the first bank chartered in Montana Territory, was located on this site in 1866. A housing shortage during the 1880s prompted the construction of this three-story rooming house in 1887. The French Second Empire-inspired style features a straight mansard roof with caboose dormers and heavily pedimented windows. The first floor originally housed small shops, then served as a warehouse for the Kessler Brewery. Weggenman’s Market occupied the space from the 1940s until the building was extensively remodeled during Urban Renewal in the early 1970s.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 35.145′ N, 112° 2.447′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on South Last Chance Gulch near East Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north. This portion of Last Chance Gulch is a pedestrian mall and is closed

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to vehicular traffic. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 62 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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: California Wine House (within shouting distance of this marker); Earthquakes of 1935 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Discovery at Last Chance Gulch (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunphy Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Sands Brothers Dry Goods (within shouting distance of this marker); Raleigh and Clarke Dry Goods (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Louis Block (about 300 feet away, measured

Uncle Sam's Block and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 14, 2021

2. Uncle Sam's Block and Marker

in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.