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.
Stone House at Reeder's Alley. Helena Historic District. 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.
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 by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.
Location. 46° 35.113′ N, 112° 2.614′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker 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.
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 82 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
