Red Lodge in Carbon County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
612 North Hauser Avenue
Red Lodge Hi Bug Historic District
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2021
1. 612 North Hauser Avenue Marker
Inscription.
612 North Hauser Avenue. Red Lodge Hi Bug Historic District. The manager of the Red Lodge Brewery, Paul Lehrkind, purchased this lot in 1920, likely with the intent of building a home. However, despite efforts to survive Prohibition by manufacturing the “near beer” Bud-O (“Always on Top”), Lehrkind was forced to close the brewery in 1921. He left Red Lodge soon after, selling the property to Walter Helm, a butter-maker at (and later owner of) the Carbon County Creamery. Borrowing $1,500 from the Carbon Building and Loan Association, Walter and his wife Margaret constructed this one-and-one-half-story Craftsman bungalow. The residence is one of the best executed examples of the Craftsman style in Red Lodge. Its careful detailing includes vertical stick work in the main gable, wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails, and angled knee braces. “Battered” square columns support the large, inviting front porch. Craftsman style design emphasized “coziness, comfort, function, and economy” and embraced the idea that “beauty does not imply elaboration.” The results were highly livable homes like this one, which remained in the Helm family until 1971.
The manager of the Red Lodge Brewery, Paul Lehrkind, purchased this lot in 1920, likely with the intent of building a home. However, despite efforts to survive Prohibition by manufacturing the “near beer” Bud-O (“Always on Top”), Lehrkind was forced to close the brewery in 1921. He left Red Lodge soon after, selling the property to Walter Helm, a butter-maker at (and later owner of) the Carbon County Creamery. Borrowing $1,500 from the Carbon Building and Loan Association, Walter and his wife Margaret constructed this one-and-one-half-story Craftsman bungalow. The residence is one of the best executed examples of the Craftsman style in Red Lodge. Its careful detailing includes vertical stick work in the main gable, wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails, and angled knee braces. “Battered” square columns support the large, inviting front porch. Craftsman style design emphasized “coziness, comfort, function, and economy” and embraced the idea that “beauty does not imply elaboration.” The results were highly livable homes like this one, which remained in the Helm family until 1971.
Location. 45° 11.596′ N, 109° 14.902′ W. Marker is in Red Lodge, Montana, in Carbon County. Marker is on Hauser Avenue North near 5th Street West, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 612 Hauser Avenue North, Red Lodge MT 59068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The House at 612 North Hauser Avenue and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
