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

Joseph E. Allen Livery

Helena South-Central Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

1. Joseph E. Allen Livery Marker

Inscription. Livery stables rented and boarded horses, providing a critical service in the nineteenth century when transportation depended upon reliable mounts. Allen Livery is Helena’s best preserved reminder of this vital business and also recalls the extraordinary diversity of the Courthouse Square neighborhood. By 1867, William H. Allen established a livery stable here on his former mining claim. Its location, as now, was just steps away from the center of county business. After 1875 when Helena became the territorial capital, government officials, county employees, residents of nearby boardinghouses, and Rodney Street businessmen stabled their horses and leased conveyances from the livery. Allen’s nephew, Joseph, eventually took over the business, replacing the original stable with the present utilitarian stone and brick structure circa 1885. Upstairs lodging accommodated the livery’s hostlers and stablemen. Joseph lived upstairs too until he married in the mid-1890s. In 1912, Joseph’s wife died and he followed her twelve days later. Others then ran the fading business until Lewis and Clark County purchased the building in 1920.

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A study in early advertising, its many “ghost signs” are remarkably well preserved.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture.

Location. 46° 35.158′ N, 112° 2.108′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on Breckenridge Street near North Rodney Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312-314 Breckenridge 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: Rodney Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Weinstein Grocery Store

Joseph E. Allen Livery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

2. Joseph E. Allen Livery and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Rodney Street News (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fifth Avenue Apartment House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 203 North Rodney Street (about 300 feet away); Henry M. Parchen Residence (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

"ghost Signs" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. "ghost Signs"

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

4. "ghost Signs"

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 14, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.