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

Fire Tower

Helena Historic District

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

1. Fire Tower Marker

Inscription. The welfare of the community depended upon this prominent landmark, strategically placed atop the town’s most prominent hill. Fire was the grim reaper that stalked all western mining camps, and Last Chance Gulch was no exception. Hastily built log cabins, crowded together along the streets, created a constant hazard. In the mining camp at Last Chance, wind whipping through the gulch was an added danger. The wind could carry burning embers to distant neighborhoods; every miner’s cabin had a fire bucket hanging within easy reach. Citizens organized a warning system and built the first fire tower here in 1868. Volunteers took turns scanning the gulch for wisps of smoke where none should be. Ironically, fire destroyed the first tower. This structure, constructed using millwright techniques of beams bolted together, took its place in 1874. The city added a guardroom and bell in 1886. For many years the bell rang the evening curfew for Helena’s youngsters. The “Guardian of the Gulch” served the community for nearly seventy years and has become a symbol of Helena’s early history and resilient citizens.

Erected by Montana

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Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Communications • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 46° 35.111′ N, 112° 2.348′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is on South Warren Street near Vawter Street. The Fire Tower is located in Fire Tower Park and may be accessed from the parking lot at the intersection of South Warren and Vawter Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

2. Fire Tower Marker

are within walking distance of this marker: Helena South-Central Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Bluestone House (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston Block (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S.S. Helena (about 400 feet away); Uncle Sam's Block (about 500 feet away); St. Louis Block (about 500 feet away); Earthquakes of 1935 (about 500 feet away); California Wine House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Fire Tower and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

3. Fire Tower and Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

4. Fire Tower

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

5. Fire Tower

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

6. Fire Tower

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 19, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.