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

Montana Highway Department Building

Montana State Capitol Campus Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

1. Montana Highway Department Building Marker

Inscription. Montana’s original Highway Department building reflects the ascendancy of the automobile in twentieth-century America. As drivers began lobbying for good roads, state government responded, forming the Montana Highway Commission in 1913. Five years later, responding to federal road monies, the state created the Montana Highway Department and State Highway System. The 1920s brought more cars to Montana’s thoroughfares and more work for the Highway Department. With increased federal funding during the Great Depression, the department outgrew its offices in the state capitol. Consequently, the Highway Commission hired Great Falls architect George Shanley to design a new home for the ever-expanding agency. The resulting Stripped Classical, smooth concrete structure reflects the aesthetics of New Deal–era public architecture. When completed in 1936, it was hailed as being “modern in every way.” Two decades later, the federal government established the Interstate Highway System, which led to the 1958 construction of a five-story, Modern addition designed by the Great Falls firm of Bordeleau-Pannell & Amundson. In 1978, the renamed

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Montana Department of Transportation moved into new headquarters allowing other state agencies to occupy this building.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 46° 35.219′ N, 112° 1.005′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is at the intersection of North Roberts Street and East 6th Avenue, on the left when traveling north on North Roberts Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 North Roberts Street, 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

Montana Highway Department Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

2. Montana Highway Department Building and Marker

The marker is at the base of the steps on the right.

once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montana's Capital Contenders (within shouting distance of this marker); Montana Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Montana State Capitol Campus Historic District (about 400 feet away); Thomas Francis Meagher. (about 500 feet away); Legislative Restaurant - Capital Annex (about 600 feet away); Original Headquarters - Montana Highway Patrol (about 600 feet away); Mitchell Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.