Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Morelli Bridge
Helena Historic District
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021
1. Morelli Bridge Marker
Inscription.
Morelli Bridge. Helena Historic District. Historic maps show that the area above Reeders Alley, known as Reeders Gulch, was long undeveloped and virtually inaccessible. The city gave in to local pressure in the early 1890s and began construction of this bridge, first known as the Howie Street Bridge. Cost of the work exceeded funds, however, and the bridge remained unfinished. When the Silver Panic of 1893 halted most building projects across the state, city commissioners recognized that completing the bridge project could provide much needed jobs. They resumed construction, putting a significant number of local laborers back to work. Finished late in 1893, the four-span timber bridge allowed residential development of the area and provided a bypass around the congested, industrial south end of Last Chance Gulch. The Jacob Adami quarry on Mount Helena supplied the stone. Swiss stonemason Carlo Morelli constructed the impressive bents, or supports, that make the bridge unusual prompting locals to rename the bridge after Morelli, whose home was nearby. Although the city replaced the timber deck in the 1980s, the Morelli Bridge is the oldest timber bridge still in use in Montana.
Historic maps show that the area above Reeders Alley, known as Reeders Gulch, was long undeveloped and virtually inaccessible. The city gave in to local pressure in the early 1890s and began construction of this bridge, first known as the Howie Street Bridge. Cost of the work exceeded funds, however, and the bridge remained unfinished. When the Silver Panic of 1893 halted most building projects across the state, city commissioners recognized that completing the bridge project could provide much needed jobs. They resumed construction, putting a significant number of local laborers back to work. Finished late in 1893, the four-span timber bridge allowed residential development of the area and provided a bypass around the congested, industrial south end of Last Chance Gulch. The Jacob Adami quarry on Mount Helena supplied the stone. Swiss stonemason Carlo Morelli constructed the impressive bents, or supports, that make the bridge unusual prompting locals to rename the bridge after Morelli, whose home was nearby. Although the city replaced the timber deck in the 1980s, the Morelli Bridge is the oldest timber bridge still
Location. 46° 35.111′ N, 112° 2.618′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on Reeder's Alley near South Benton Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Reeder's Alley is limited to foot-traffic only. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 Reeders Alley, 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
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
