Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Chessman Flats
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021
1. Chessman Flats Marker
Inscription.
Chessman Flats. . Helena entrepreneur William Chessman built these exemplary Queen Anne style townhouse apartments in 1891 while in residence across Sixth Avenue at 304 North Ewing. Gables, bays, and a rounded turret handsomely demonstrate the architectural exuberance of the period when Helena earned the nickname “Queen City of the Rockies.” The five, three-story units were designed by T. F. Mathias for upper-class tenants. Mathias and his partner, Frederick Heinlein, designed many impressive Helena buildings including the Iron Front Hotel, Masonic Temple, and the former Jewish synagogue at 515 North Ewing. The row houses represent a trend toward multi-family living as space became limited and Helena’s population grew. Chessman was a California “49er” who came to Montana with the gold rush and settled in Helena in 1865. He owned mining interests, developed real estate, and was a key player in the development of Helena’s early water system. The Chessman Reservoir still carries his name. Chessman and his wife Penelope retired to one of his town houses after 1900. Other well-known Helena tenants included New York Store owner Herman Fligelman and Montana Supreme Court Justice Theodore Brantly.
Helena entrepreneur William Chessman built these exemplary Queen Anne style townhouse apartments in 1891 while in residence across Sixth Avenue at 304 North Ewing. Gables, bays, and a rounded turret handsomely demonstrate the architectural exuberance of the period when Helena earned the nickname “Queen City of the Rockies.” The five, three-story units were designed by T. F. Mathias for upper-class tenants. Mathias and his partner, Frederick Heinlein, designed many impressive Helena buildings including the Iron Front Hotel, Masonic Temple, and the former Jewish synagogue at 515 North Ewing. The row houses represent a trend toward multi-family living as space became limited and Helena’s population grew. Chessman was a California “49er” who came to Montana with the gold rush and settled in Helena in 1865. He owned mining interests, developed real estate, and was a key player in the development of Helena’s early water system. The Chessman Reservoir still carries his name. Chessman and his wife Penelope retired to one of his town houses after 1900. Other well-known Helena tenants included New York Store owner Herman Fligelman and Montana Supreme Court Justice Theodore Brantly.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 46° 35.244′ N, 112° 2.112′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. Marker is on North Ewing Street near East 6th Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 N Ewing St, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
