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

Iron Front Hotel

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

1. Iron Front Hotel Marker

Inscription. Helena architects Heinlein and Matthias designed this elegant European-style hotel, formerly the Windsor House. Built in 1888, it is Montana’s only known example of a prefabricated iron façade. The locally pre-cast façade represents a building trend popular in larger cities during this period. In 1889, House Republicans of the state’s first legislature regularly caucused in the hotel’s meeting rooms. The fourth-story ballroom features an oak floor once billed as the best dance floor in the West.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 46° 35.459′ N, 112° 2.233′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It can be reached from North Last Chance Gulch near East Lawrence Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 North Last Chance Gulch, Helena MT 59601,

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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: C.W. Cannon Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Colorado Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Helena, Main Street - 1905 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fashion Livery and Boarding Stable (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eybel's Cafe (about 500 feet away); Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Montana (about 700 feet away); First Unitarian Church (about 800 feet away); Discovery of Gold in Last Chance Gulch (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Iron Front Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Google Maps screen capture

2. Iron Front Hotel and Marker

Iron Front Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

3. Iron Front Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,237 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.