Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Reeder's Alley
Where the Spirit of Montana's Heritage Lives!
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021
1. Reeder's Alley Marker
Captions: (upper left) Garden area behind the Pioneer Cabin ca. 1905; (center left) Pioneer Cabin to the right; (bottom left) Yee Waa Cabin with a dirt Reeder's Alley ca. 198(?)5.
This marker is located at the entrance to Reeder's Alley.
This marker is located at the entrance to Reeder's Alley.
Pennsylvania brick mason Louis Reeder built the alley's stone and brick buildings between 1873 and 1884. The small apartments first housed miners working nearby claims, and later pensioners.
In 1938, the Last Chance Restoration Association launched one of the first preservation efforts in the West, purchasing the the Pioneer and Caretaker's cabins. Then in 1961, three Helena women rescued the alley from demolition. This historic neighborhood survived fires, the 1893 silver panic, the 1935 earthquakes, 1970s Urban Renewal, and the test of time.
Today, the Montana Heritage Commission manages and cares for these historic properties for the State of Montana. Explore the alley's nooks and crannies, and unique businesses. Enjoy this special piece of Montana's heritage and Helena's history.
Your generous donation will help preserve Reeder's Alley and the Cabins.
Erected by Montana Heritage Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings
this page online
Location. 46° 35.089′ N, 112° 2.597′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It can be reached from South Park Avenue near Reeder's Alley, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 South 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Caretaker's Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Cabin on Last Chance Gulch (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Cabin (a few steps from this marker); "The Pioneer Cabin" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Reeder's Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Reeder's Alley Survived the Test of Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone House at Reeder's Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Morelli Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.
Photographed by David Rozzelle, September 4, 2025
2. Reeder's Alley Marker
Reeder's Alley
Photographed by David Rozzelle, September 4, 2025
3. Reeder's Alley Entrance Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 3, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2025, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee.
