Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Henry M. Parchen Residence
Helena South-Central Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021
1. Henry M. Parchen Residence Marker
Inscription.
Henry M. Parchen Residence. Helena South-Central Historic District. Professor T. F. Campbell built a log cabin on this corner where he opened Helena’s first public school in 1865. Druggist Henry M. Parchen founded his long-time Helena apothecary that same year. Parchen acquired this property circa 1872 and commissioned Fred Heinlein as architect. Heinlen and his partner, Thomas Mathias, later became prominent, designing the Masonic Temple at Jackson and Broadway, as well as numerous other Helena landmarks. Then located on the very outskirts of town, the Parchen home was one of the community’s most luxurious early residences, and prominent Helenans considered this a choice neighborhood. In 1884, an outhouse and the family’s stable (now the residence next door) stood behind the house to the west. By 1888, the Parchens had updated the home with brick veneer and added a third bay on the west. Installation of the latest innovation, indoor plumbing, was likely added around this time. Despite a fire, earthquakes, and conversion to apartments, the home retains its 1870s L-shaped footprint. Half-round windows in the gables are perhaps its most charming feature.
Professor T. F. Campbell built a log cabin on this corner where he opened Helena’s first public school in 1865. Druggist Henry M. Parchen founded his long-time Helena apothecary that same year. Parchen acquired this property circa 1872 and commissioned Fred Heinlein as architect. Heinlen and his partner, Thomas Mathias, later became prominent, designing the Masonic Temple at Jackson and Broadway, as well as numerous other Helena landmarks. Then located on the very outskirts of town, the Parchen home was one of the community’s most luxurious early residences, and prominent Helenans considered this a choice neighborhood. In 1884, an outhouse and the family’s stable (now the residence next door) stood behind the house to the west. By 1888, the Parchens had updated the home with brick veneer and added a third bay on the west. Installation of the latest innovation—indoor plumbing—was likely added around this time. Despite a fire, earthquakes, and conversion to apartments, the home retains its 1870s L-shaped footprint. Half-round windows in the gables are perhaps its most charming feature.
35.104′ N, 112° 2.138′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker is on East Broadway Street near Rodney Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 327 East Broadway Stree, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
