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

Child Carriage House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

1. Child Carriage House Marker

Inscription. William C. Child came to Montana from Iowa in 1870 as an agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company. President U. S. Grant soon appointed him territorial land office registrar and Child made a small fortune in mining investments. This two-story barn, built in 1873, served as a stable and carriage house for the Childs’ residence at 305 Ewing. In the 1880s, Child began a ranching operation a few miles east of Helena called the White Face Farm (now the Kleffner Ranch), where he established one of the first herds of purebred Herefords in Montana. The Childs continued to live in their Helena residence. The carriage house, with its massive native fieldstone walls, heavy wooden lintels, and brick arches, is a rare remaining example of early masonry construction. The chicken coop across this alley and the barn at the Kleffner Ranch were also built of native fieldstone. Many of Helena’s early masonry buildings were torn down during the 1880s construction boom or were drastically remodeled. Others were heavily damaged by the 1935 earthquakes and then covered in stucco. This carriage house is a splendid reminder of the era of horse-drawn

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vehicles. It has added significance as the short-term residence of a famous Montanan, Charles M. Russell. According to old-timers, the much loved cowboy artist temporarily bunked in the loft living quarters once used by the Childs’ groom. Carefully preserved by John and Janice Hollow, the building now serves as a professional office and is an excellent example of adaptive reuse.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 46° 35.247′ N, 112° 2.037′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on East 6th Avenue near North Ewing Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 318 East 6th Avenue, 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.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

2. Child Carriage House Marker

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: Lyman-Neel Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Leslie House (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert and Elizabeth Fisk Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); C.B. Power Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis & Hannah Pope House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Original Governor's Mansion (about 300 feet away); Chessman Flats (about 300 feet away); Porter Flats (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Child Carriage House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

3. Child Carriage House

Child's Chicken Coop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

4. Child's Chicken Coop

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.