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

Stone House at Reeder's Alley

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

1. Stone House at Reeder's Alley Marker

Inscription. Dwellings, bunkhouses, and stables dotted the hilltop during the 1880s, forming an extension of Louis Reeder’s housing complex downslope. One prominent stone building, now the largest portion of the present building, contained four small shotgun style apartments; its alley-facing doorways are still evident. George and Laura Duchesney were property managers by 1920 and made their home in the front unit of the little stone house. Laura, a well-known breeder of canaries, filled the tiny apartment with her songbirds. The Duchesneys rented the small dwellings and tenements of Reeder’s Alley almost exclusively to single men as their predecessors had done. But by the 1950s, the area had become increasingly dilapidated. Neglect fueled an unsavory reputation acquired when the red light district was its immediate neighbor. Three Helena matrons were among the few who recognized the historic import of Reeder’s Alley. They began in 1961 with this upper area, joining two small dwellings to the adjacent stone apartments for conversion to a restaurant. The project blossomed, and Reeder’s Alley today is a product of their vision.

Erected

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by Montana Historical Society.

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

Location. 46° 35.113′ N, 112° 2.614′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on Reeder's Alley near South Benton Avenue, on the right 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Morelli Bridge (here, next to this marker);

Stone House at Reeder's Alley and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

2. Stone House at Reeder's Alley and Marker

Reeder's Alley Survived the Test of Time (a few steps from this marker); Reeder's Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Pioneer Cabin" (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Cabin on Last Chance Gulch (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Caretaker's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Reeder's Alley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

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 203 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.