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. 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

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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′ N, 112° 2.945′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It 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.

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: Kluge House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helena West Main Street Historic District (about 600 feet away); 488-490 West Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elisha and Joseph Poad House

Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2021

2. Lawrence and Amanda Beaver Residence and Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry Hay Homestead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Dempster House (approx. 0.2 miles away); B.K. Tatem House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Last Chance Gulch (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

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 282 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.