Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence
West Main Street Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021
1. Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence Marker
Inscription.
Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence. West Main Street Historic District. Early settlers along the gulch made use of the natural landscape by building their homes into the hillside for convenient, climate-controlled storage and maximum space. This gable-front-and-wing style home, built circa 1893, follows this practice. By 1908, Lawrence and Amanda (Olsson) Beaver began renting the home. Lawrence, born Lars Knudsen in Norway, “Americanized” his name. He worked as a blacksmith until an explosion at Marysville in the 1910s incapacitated him. Amanda, who came to the United States in 1902, left a comfortable life in Sweden where, according to the family, her father was the king’s veterinarian. The couple married in 1903. After the accident, Amanda struggled to raise their six children, working as a housekeeper and taking in laundry. Amanda’s son, Gus, was born and raised in this home, residing here into the new millennium when he celebrated his 90th year. The dwelling and its barn, little changed, strongly reflect the working-class character of the West Main neighborhood.
Early settlers along the gulch made use of the natural landscape by building their homes into the hillside for convenient, climate-controlled storage and maximum space. This gable-front-and-wing style home, built circa 1893, follows this practice. By 1908, Lawrence and Amanda (Olsson) Beaver began renting the home. Lawrence, born Lars Knudsen in Norway, “Americanized” his name. He worked as a blacksmith until an explosion at Marysville in the 1910s incapacitated him. Amanda, who came to the United States in 1902, left a comfortable life in Sweden where, according to the family, her father was the king’s veterinarian. The couple married in 1903. After the accident, Amanda struggled to raise their six children, working as a housekeeper and taking in laundry. Amanda’s son, Gus, was born and raised in this home, residing here into the new millennium when he celebrated his 90th year. The dwelling and its barn, little changed, strongly reflect the working-class character of the West Main neighborhood.
Erected 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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 46° 34.795′
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N, 112° 2.945′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker is on West Main Street near Grizzly Gulch Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 595 West Main Street, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
