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

Olsen House

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

1. Olsen House Marker

Inscription. The Olsen House was built in stages after Amelia Derrick Olsen purchased this property in 1874. At that time, Park Street was known as Clore Street, and the original home built on these lots was a wooden, two-story building. The gable-roofed, vernacular stone addition was added to the rear in 1884-85. Although the builder is unknown, the masterful handling of the thick stone walls demonstrates the work of a skilled stone mason, while the rounded arches trimmed with decorative floral carving and the steeply pitched rooflines show late Victorian-era architectural influences. About 1909, the original wooden portion of the building was moved to Knight Street, and a new stone massing was added in its place. This new addition wedded distinctive Italianate styling to the vernacular rear portion of the home, employing the more stylish bracketed eaves, arcade-like porch, decorative windows, and pyramidal roof. Members of the Olsen family lived in this home through 1946. In 1950, the house became the residence of John Conway Harrison, a Montana State Supreme Court Justice. In 1989, the building was converted to offices.

Erected by Montana

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Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 35.549′ N, 112° 2.428′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on North Park Avenue near West Placer Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 516 North Park Avenue, 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: YWCA (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Life Insurance Company

Olsen House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

2. Olsen House and Marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Montana (about 500 feet away); Boyer/Hawkins Residence (about 600 feet away); Federal Reserve Bank (about 600 feet away); Gilpatrick/Root House (about 600 feet away); Christmas Gift Evans House (about 700 feet away); First Unitarian Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.