Helena, Montana

The Helena area was long inhabited by various indigenous peoples.{{Cite web|title=Forest Prehistory|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/hlcnf/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5373555#:~:text=Native%20American%20peoples%20first%20settled,we%20generically%20call%20American%20Indians.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716111415/https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/hlcnf/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5373555|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |publisher=USDA Forest Service: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest }} Evidence from the McHaffie and Indian Creek sites on opposite sides of the Elkhorn Mountains southeast of the Helena Valley show that people of the Folsom culture lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago.{{cite book|last1=MacDonald|first1=Douglas H.|title=Montana before history : 11,000 years of hunter-gatherers in the Rockies and Plains|date=2012|publisher=Mountain Press Pub. Company|location=Missoula, Mont.|isbn=9780878425853|pages=38–44}} Before the introduction of the horse 300 years ago, and since, other native peoples, including the Salish and the Blackfeet, visited the area seasonally on their nomadic rounds.{{cite book|last1=Baumler|first1=Ellen|title=Helena, The Town That Gold Built: The First 150 Years|date=2014|publisher=HPNbooks|location=San Antonio, TX|page=28}}

File:Helena mo 1870.jpg

By the early 1800s, people of European descent from the United States and British Canada began arriving to work the streams of the Missouri River watershed looking for fur-bearing animals such as the beaver, undoubtedly bringing them through the area now known as the Helena Valley.{{cite book|last1=Holmes|first1=Krys|title=Montana : stories of the land|date=2008|publisher=Montana Historical Society Press|location=Helena, MT|pages=80–89|url=http://svcalt.mt.gov/education/textbook/Chapter5/Chapter5.pdf |chapter=Chap. 5, Beaver, Bison, and Black Robes: Montana's Fur Trade, 1800-1860 |access-date=February 20, 2014}}

Gold strikes in Idaho Territory in the early 1860s attracted many migrants who initiated major gold rushes at Grasshopper Creek (Bannack) and Alder Gulch (Virginia City) in 1862 and 1863 respectively. So many people came that the federal government created a new territory called Montana in May 1864. The miners prospected far and wide for new placer gold discoveries. On July 14, 1864, the discovery of gold by a prospecting party known as the "Four Georgians" in a gulch off the Prickly Pear Creek led to the founding of a mining camp along a small creek in the area they called "Last Chance Gulch".{{cite book|last1=Baumler|first1=Ellen|title=Helena, The Town That Gold Built: The First 150 Years|date=2014|publisher=HPNbooks|location=San Antonio, TX|pages=6–7}}{{Cite web|date=October 28, 2019|title=The city of Helena, Montana, is founded after miners discover gold|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-city-of-helena-montana-is-founded-after-miners-discover-gold|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327184437/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-city-of-helena-montana-is-founded-after-miners-discover-gold|archive-date=March 27, 2019 |website=History.com |access-date=2020-07-15}}{{Cite web|title=History of Helena - Catalog - Helena College|url=http://www.helenacollege.edu/catalog/helenahistory.aspx#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9CFour%20Georgians%E2%80%9D%20originally%20named,United%20States%20territory%20in%201864. |publisher=Helena College |access-date=2020-07-15}}{{Cite news |last1=Bradbury|first1=Mary Jane |last2=Shields |first2=Mike |last3=Jacobson |first3=Hal

|title=Nuggets from Helena: Reflecting on 153 years of Helena history |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/nuggets-from-helena-reflecting-on-153-years-of-helena-history/article_061752c0-46ee-5c73-b6e0-a814a92e59b5.html |date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716045852/https://helenair.com/news/local/nuggets-from-helena-reflecting-on-153-years-of-helena-history/article_061752c0-46ee-5c73-b6e0-a814a92e59b5.html |archive-date= July 16, 2020 |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Pardee |first1=Joseph |last2=Schrader |first2=F.C. |title=Metalliferous deposits of the greater Helena mining region, Montana, USGS Bulletin 842 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/0842/report.pdf |website=USGS Publications Warehouse |publisher=USGS |access-date=20 May 2021 |page=183 |date=1933}} In the 1870s, a Pennsylvania brick and stone mason named Louis Reeder built Reeder's Alley. It is a strong link to the beginnings of the settlement. He invested in the lots along then Cutler Street (now known as Reeder's Alley) and between 1872 and 1884 built over 30 brick and stone one-room tenements for miners.{{cite web |author= |title=Welcome to the Alley |url=https://reedersalley.com/ |website=Reeder's Alley |publisher=Montana Department of Commerce |access-date=19 Feb 2025}}{{cite web |author= |title=Reeder's Alley |url=https://www.reedersalley.com/History/index |website=Reeder's Alley |publisher=Montana Department of Commerce |access-date=19 Feb 2025}}{{Cite web |author= |title=Reeder's Alley Helena Historic District|url=https://historicmt.org/items/show/9 |website=Reeder's Alley Helena Historic District |publisher=The Montana National Register Sign Program |access-date=19 Feb 2025}}{{Cite web |author= |title=Reeder's Alley Helena Historic District|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=187378 |website=Reeder's Alley Helena Historic District |publisher=Historical Marker Database |access-date=19 Feb 2025}}

In 1876, Thomas Cruse, a prospector of Irish descent, discovered a massive gold deposit in the mountains, northwest of Helena. He soon filed a mining patent on 20.25 acres and opened the famous Drumlummon Mine which produced a rich bounty of gold and silver worth millions of dollars.{{Cite web |title=Thomas Cruse: Early Montana Prospector, Mine Owner, and Entrepreneur |url=https://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/8498 |access-date=2023-05-15}}

File:Birds-eye view of Helena, Montana 1875. LOC 75694669.tif of Helena from 1875 with some statistics sites listed]]

By fall of 1864, the population had grown to over 200, and some thought the name "Last Chance" too crass. On October 30, 1864, a group of at least seven self-appointed men met to name the town, authorize the layout of the streets, and elect commissioners. The first suggestion was "Tomah", a word the committee thought had connections to the local Indian people. Other nominations included Pumpkinville and Squashtown{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://helenachamber.com/history/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716034748/https://helenachamber.com/history/|archive-date=2020-07-16 |publisher=Helena Area Chamber & Visitor Center |access-date=2020-07-16}} (as the meeting was held the day before Halloween). Other suggestions were to name the community after various Minnesota towns, such as Winona and Rochester, as a number of settlers had come from Minnesota. Finally, a Scotsman, John Summerville, proposed Helena, which he pronounced {{IPAc-en|h|ə|ˈ|l|iː|n|ə}} {{respell|hə|LEE|nə}},{{Cite news|date=September 15, 2015|title=Montana Pronunciation Guide|work=Billings Gazette |url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/the-montana-pronunciation-guide/collection_6f193e5b-b011-53f0-9227-12bc0c4c4967.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831022850/https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/the-montana-pronunciation-guide/collection_6f193e5b-b011-53f0-9227-12bc0c4c4967.html|archive-date=August 31, 2019}} in honor of Helena Township, Scott County, Minnesota. This immediately caused an uproar from the former Confederates in the room, who insisted upon the pronunciation {{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ɛ|l|ᵻ|n|ə}} {{respell|HEL|i-nə}}, after Helena, Arkansas, a town on the Mississippi River. While the name "Helena" won, the pronunciation varied until approximately 1882 when the {{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ɛ|l|ᵻ|n|ə}} {{respell|HEL|i-nə}} pronunciation became dominant. Later tales of the naming of Helena claimed the name came from the island of St. Helena, where Napoleon was exiled, or was that of a miner's sweetheart.Palmer, Tom. "Naming Helena", Helena: The Town and the People, Helena, MT: American Geographic Publishing, 1987, pp 20, 22, 28-31{{Cite web|title=Helena Area Chamber of Commerce|url=https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/chamber-of-commerce/helena-area-chamber-of-commerce.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718164545/https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/chamber-of-commerce/helena-area-chamber-of-commerce.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=Visit Montana |access-date=2020-07-16}}

Helena was surveyed by Captain John Wood in 1865 for the first time. The original streets of Helena followed the paths of miners, thus making the city blocks of Early Helena various sizes and shapes.{{Cite web|title=Plat of the Town Site of Helena As entered at the U.S. Land Office. Lewis & Clarke Co. M.T. Drawn by A.F.L. August 7th 1882.|url=https://exhibits.stanford.edu/mining/catalog/wk526st2673|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719190157/https://exhibits.stanford.edu/mining/catalog/wk526st2673|archive-date=July 19, 2020 |website=Mining Maps and Views - Spotlight at Stanford |access-date=2020-07-16}}

In 1870, Henry D. Washburn, having been appointed Surveyor General of Montana in 1869, organized the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition in Helena to explore the regions that would become Yellowstone National Park.{{Cite web|date=September 17, 2019|title=Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/expeditions.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716151718/https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/expeditions.htm|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |publisher=U.S. National Park Service |access-date=2020-07-16}} Mount Washburn, within the park, is named for him. Members of the expedition included Helena residents:{{Cite web|date=March 19, 2020|title=Yellowstone National Park - Plant and animal life|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-National-Park|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720024255/https://www.britannica.com/place/Yellowstone-National-Park|archive-date=July 20, 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite web|date=February 27, 2020|title=Yellowstone Park established|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/yellowstone-park-established|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102181939/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/yellowstone-park-established|archive-date=November 2, 2019 |website=History.com |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2020|title=The Superintendents – Nathaniel Langford - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/yell/blogs/the-superintendents-nathaniel-langford.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302063936/https://www.nps.gov/yell/blogs/the-superintendents-nathaniel-langford.htm|archive-date=March 2, 2020 |publisher=U.S. National Park Service |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite web|date=February 27, 2020|title=Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/haines1/iee4.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710004118/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/haines1/iee4.htm|archive-date=July 10, 2019 |publisher=United States National Park Service |access-date=July 25, 2020}}

• Truman C. Everts, former U.S. Assessor for the Montana Territory
• Cornelius Hedges, U.S. Attorney of the Montana Territory
• Samuel T. Hauser, president of the First National Bank, Helena, Montana; later a Governor of the Montana Territory
• Warren C. Gillette, Helena merchant
• Walter Trumbull, son of U.S. Senator Lyman Trumbull (Illinois)
• Nathaniel P. Langford, then former U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for Montana Territory. Langford helped Washburn organize the expedition and later helped publicize the remarkable Yellowstone region. In May 1872 after the park was established, Langford was appointed by the Department of Interior as its first superintendent.

File:Helena Cathedral.jpg]]

By 1888 about 50 millionaires lived in Helena, more per capita than in any city in the world.{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2014 |title=50 facts from Montana history: #26 |work=Great Falls Tribune |url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2014/10/13/50-countdown-26/17196387/ |access-date=July 25, 2020}} They had made their fortunes from gold.{{Cite web|date=2001-06-17|title=50 Millionaires Lived in Helena Because of Gold|url=https://americanprofile.com/articles/50-millionaires-lived-in-helena-because-of-gold/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717005640/https://americanprofile.com/articles/50-millionaires-lived-in-helena-because-of-gold/|archive-date=July 17, 2020 |website=American Profile |access-date=2020-07-16}} It is estimated about $3.6 billion in today's money was extracted from Helena during this period of time.{{Cite web|title=History of Helena - Catalog - Helena College|url=http://www.helenacollege.edu/catalog/helenahistory.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716052847/http://www.helenacollege.edu/catalog/helenahistory.aspx|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |publisher=Helena College |access-date=2020-07-16}} The Last Chance Placer is one of the most famous placer deposits in the western United States. Most of the production occurred before 1868. Much of the placer is now under Helena's streets and buildings.{{Cite web |last=Boulter|first=George W|date=2010|title=Placer Deposits of Last Chance Gulch, Helena, Montana |url=http://archives.datapages.com/data/meta/mgs/mt/data/0001/0072/pdfs/0072_firstpage.pdf |publisher=Billings Geological Society|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716211814/http://archives.datapages.com/data/meta/mgs/mt/data/0001/0072/pdfs/0072_firstpage.pdf|archive-date=July 16, 2020|via=Datapages}}

This large concentration of wealth was the basis of developing fine residences and ambitious architecture in the city; its Victorian neighborhoods reflect the gold years.{{Cite news|date=December 19, 2016|title=These 14 mansions offer a glimpse into Helena's cosmopolitan history |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/these-14-mansions-offer-a-glimpse-into-helena-s-cosmopolitan-history/collection_b11c9444-cb79-5739-9416-6bed04d47df6.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717064142/https://helenair.com/news/local/these-14-mansions-offer-a-glimpse-into-helena-s-cosmopolitan-history/collection_b11c9444-cb79-5739-9416-6bed04d47df6.html|archive-date=July 17, 2020}} The numerous miners also attracted the development of a thriving red light district. Among the well-known local madams was Josephine "Chicago Joe" Airey, who built a thriving business empire between 1874 and 1893, becoming one of Helena's largest and most influential landowners.{{Cite web|title=Red Light District|url=http://www.helenahistory.org/red_light_district.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716200441/http://www.helenahistory.org/red_light_district.htm|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |website=Helena As She Was |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite news|last=Corrigan|first=Terence|date=August 24, 2014|title=The seedy side of Helena |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/the-seedy-side-of-helena/article_5d946d5e-60a6-51e6-9138-1e8744a00468.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718041130/https://helenair.com/news/local/the-seedy-side-of-helena/article_5d946d5e-60a6-51e6-9138-1e8744a00468.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020}} Helena's brothels were a successful part of the local business community well into the 20th century, ending with the 1973 death of Helena's last madam, "Big Dorothy" Baker.{{Cite news|last=Wipf|first=Briana|date=November 1, 2014|title=Upstairs girls leave mark on state |work=Great Falls Tribune |url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/life/my-montana/2014/11/02/upstairs-girls-leave-mark-states-culture/18274341/|access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite magazine|date=February 29, 2008|title=Working girls|magazine=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/news/2008/02/29/working-girls|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716200620/https://www.economist.com/news/2008/02/29/working-girls|archive-date=July 16, 2020|issn=0013-0613}}

Helena's official symbol is a drawing of "The Guardian of the Gulch", a wooden fire watch tower built in 1886. It still stands on Tower Hill overlooking the downtown district.{{Cite web|title=Guardian of the Gulch|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/guardian-of-the-gulch|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717083159/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/guardian-of-the-gulch|archive-date=July 17, 2020 |website=Atlas Obscura |access-date=2020-07-16}} The tower, built in 1874, replaced a series of observation buildings, the original being built in response to a series of devastating fires that swept through the early mining camp.{{Cite web|title=Helena's Iconic Fire Tower|url=http://www.helenahistory.org/fire_tower.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106121444/http://www.helenahistory.org/fire_tower.htm|archive-date=January 6, 2019 |website=Helena As She Was |access-date=2020-07-26}}{{Cite news|last=Logan|first=Sean|date=January 20, 2014|title=Fiery history: Several fires in Helena's early years helped shape the town |work=Missoulian |url=https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/fiery-history-several-fires-in-helena-s-early-years-helped-shape-the-town/article_24b8ad30-8210-11e3-9147-0019bb2963f4.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716232701/https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/fiery-history-several-fires-in-helena-s-early-years-helped-shape-the-town/article_24b8ad30-8210-11e3-9147-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date=July 16, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Brant|first=Angela|date=July 5, 2010|title=Guardian of the past|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/guardian-of-the-past/article_1acb3904-889b-11df-805d-001cc4c002e0.html|work=Billings Gazette |access-date=2020-07-26}} On August 2, 2016, an arson attack severely damaged the tower and it was deemed structurally unstable. The tower is to be demolished but will be rebuilt using the same methods as in its original construction.{{Cite news|last=Chaney|first=Jesse|date=August 2, 2016|title=Helena Fire Tower damaged in 'suspicious' blaze |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana|url=https://helenair.com/news/crime-and-courts/helena-fire-tower-damaged-in-suspicious-blaze/article_a7022518-0504-59bc-a03a-848e6a6e42cb.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524003318/https://helenair.com/news/crime-and-courts/helena-fire-tower-damaged-in-suspicious-blaze/article_a7022518-0504-59bc-a03a-848e6a6e42cb.html|archive-date=May 24, 2020}}{{Cite news|date=March 19, 2018|title=Friends of the Fire Tower: New nonprofit aims to restore and preserve Helena icon |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/friends-of-the-fire-tower-new-nonprofit-aims-to-restore-and-preserve-helena-icon/article_93637440-c762-5601-9886-0b0ff7b70c25.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717230255/https://helenair.com/news/local/friends-of-the-fire-tower-new-nonprofit-aims-to-restore-and-preserve-helena-icon/article_93637440-c762-5601-9886-0b0ff7b70c25.html|archive-date=July 17, 2020}}

File:Helena capitol.jpg building]]

In 1889, railroad magnate Charles Arthur Broadwater opened his Hotel Broadwater and Natatorium west of Helena.{{Cite web|title=Charles A. Broadwater family papers, 1873-1928|url=https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/70927174 |website=researchworks.oclc.org |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite web|title=Harmon's Histories: Join us for an evening at Col. Broadwater's magnificent resort |work=Missoula Current |url=https://missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2019/10/broadwater-hot-springs/?print=print |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite news|last=Inbody|first=Kristen|date=February 5, 2018|title=A fourth chance for storied Helena hot springs|url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/02/05/fourth-chance-storied-helena-hot-springs/307996002/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209100829/http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/02/05/fourth-chance-storied-helena-hot-springs/307996002/|archive-date=February 9, 2018 |work=Great Falls Tribune |access-date=2020-07-16}} The Natatorium was home to the world's first indoor swimming pool. Damaged in the 1935 Helena earthquake, it closed in 1941.{{Cite web|title=Outdoor.com » Helena|url=http://www.outdoor.com/places/cities-and-towns/helena/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716221943/http://www.outdoor.com/places/cities-and-towns/helena/|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |website=Outdoor.com |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite web|title=Broadwater Natatorium|url=http://www.helenahistory.org/Broadwater_natatorium.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716201623/http://www.helenahistory.org/Broadwater_natatorium.htm|archive-date=July 16, 2020 |website=Helena As She Was |access-date=2020-07-16}}{{Cite news|last=Chaney|first=Rob|date=March 4, 2018|title=Hot springs book reveals long wet history of Montana soaks|url=https://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/hot-springs-book-reveals-long-wet-history-of-montana-soaks/article_d6dfbf94-7cae-5625-b3fd-317861849f59.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717080703/https://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/hot-springs-book-reveals-long-wet-history-of-montana-soaks/article_d6dfbf94-7cae-5625-b3fd-317861849f59.html|archive-date=July 17, 2020 |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |access-date=2020-07-16}} The property's many buildings were demolished in 1976.{{Cite web|date=2015-04-01|title=Broadwater Natatorium|url=http://treasurestatelifestyles.com/broadwater-natatorium/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716221944/http://treasurestatelifestyles.com/broadwater-natatorium/|archive-date=2020-07-16 |website=Treasure State Lifestyles |access-date=2020-07-16}} Today, the Broadwater Fitness Center stands just west of the Hotel & Natatorium's original location, complete with an outdoor pool heated by natural spring water running underneath it.{{Cite web|title=Broadwater History|url=https://broadwatermt.com/broadwater-history/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706072711/https://broadwatermt.com/broadwater-history/|archive-date=July 6, 2019 |publisher=Broadwater Hot Springs |access-date=2020-07-16}}

Helena has been the capital of Montana Territory since 1875 and the state of Montana since 1889. Referendums were held in 1892 and 1894 to determine the state's capital; the result was to keep the capitol in Helena. In 1902, the Montana State Capitol was completed.{{Cite web|title=Timeline of the Montana Capitol's History|url=https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Capitol/History|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717224142/https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Capitol/History|archive-date=July 17, 2020 |website=Montana.gov }}{{Cite news|date=July 6, 2002|title=Montana Capitol Building timeline|work=Independent Record |url=https://helenair.com/news/montana-capitol-building-timeline/article_1f28eefe-a6a6-5773-82c7-b2bdac98ca1d.html|access-date=July 25, 2020}} Until the 1900 census, Helena was the most populous city in the state. That year it was surpassed by Butte (with a population of 30,470), where mining industry was developing.{{Cite book|title=1900 United States Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau |year=1901|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=461}}

Among the settlers the city's prosperity attracted were Blacks fleeing racism in the South. Many found work in the mines or on the railroads and established a middle class that supported Black-owned businesses, Black churches, Black newspapers and a Black literary society. A Black police officer patrolled the town's wealthiest (white) neighborhood. But in the later 1900s new discriminatory laws, such as a ban on mixed marriages and the establishment of many sundown towns, along with the attendant racist attitudes that led to them drove many Blacks out not just Helena but the state, to the point that the city's Black population today is a small fraction of what it was in the early 20th century.{{cite journal|last=Lang|first=William L.|title=The Nearly Forgotten Blacks on Last Chance Gulch, 1900-1912|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40489822|journal=Pacific Northwest Quarterly|volume=70|issue=2|pages=50–57|date=April 1979|publisher=University of Washington|doi=|jstor=40489822|access-date=June 3, 2021}} Cited at {{cite book|last=Rothstein|first=Richard|authorlink=Richard Rothstein|title=The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America|pages=41–42|publisher=Liveright|location=New York|isbn=9781631494536|date=2017}}

In 1916, the United Daughters of the Confederacy commissioned the construction of the Confederate Memorial Fountain in Hill Park.{{Cite news |last=Knauber |first=Al |title=Helena Confederate memorial draws debate at city commission meeting |url=https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/helena-confederate-memorial-draws-debate-at-city-commission-meeting/article_a2f2dac4-0608-5c77-a9ab-d78f41d31250.html |date=July 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717013938/https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/helena-confederate-memorial-draws-debate-at-city-commission-meeting/article_a2f2dac4-0608-5c77-a9ab-d78f41d31250.html |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |url-status=live |work=Missoulian}} It was the only Confederate memorial in the Northwestern United States.{{cite news|last=Bridge|first=Thom|date=July 4, 2015|title=Helena officials to discuss Confederate memorial fountain|work=The Montana Standard |location=Butte, Montana |url=http://mtstandard.com/news/local/helena-officials-to-discuss-confederate-memorial-fountain/article_e87e4ca5-5460-51b8-9285-93d8cc6c9a29.html|access-date=April 6, 2017}} The fountain was removed on August 18, 2017, after the Helena City Commission deemed it a threat to public safety following a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.{{Cite news|date=August 16, 2017|title=City of Helena to remove Confederate fountain|work=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/city-of-helena-to-remove-confederate-fountain/article_606b058a-4e09-5802-a7b8-dc07f2b0a27e.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718045042/https://helenair.com/news/local/city-of-helena-to-remove-confederate-fountain/article_606b058a-4e09-5802-a7b8-dc07f2b0a27e.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020}}

The Archie Bray Foundation, a ceramics center founded in 1952, is just northwest of Helena, near Spring Meadow Lake.{{Cite news |last=Loranger |first=Erin |date=December 13, 2017 |title=National Register recognizes Archie Bray Foundation as nationally significant |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/national-register-recognizes-archie-bray-foundation-as-nationally-significant/article_c26edb26-87ff-5db0-ae5d-97e6a28282f1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926034652/https://helenair.com/news/local/national-register-recognizes-archie-bray-foundation-as-nationally-significant/article_c26edb26-87ff-5db0-ae5d-97e6a28282f1.html |archive-date=2019-09-26 |access-date=2020-07-17 |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana}}

File:Algeria Shrine Temple (2012) - Lewis and Clark County, Montana.png in 2012]]

The Cathedral of Saint Helena{{Cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Terence|date=July 9, 2014|title=Helena in 75 Objects: 3. Cathedral of St. Helena|url=https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-3-cathedral-of-st-helena/article_25183940-7fe8-11e4-a893-57e5e2fb0ac4.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718001233/https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-3-cathedral-of-st-helena/article_25183940-7fe8-11e4-a893-57e5e2fb0ac4.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=Missoulian |access-date=2020-07-17}} and the Helena Civic Center{{Cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Terrance|date=July 17, 2014|title=Helena in 75 Objects: 11. Civic center spire|url=https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-11-civic-center-spire/article_283270c8-7fe8-11e4-a8a3-779f9cb90c36.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718012431/https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-11-civic-center-spire/article_283270c8-7fe8-11e4-a8a3-779f9cb90c36.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=Missoulian |access-date=2020-07-17}} are two of Helena's many significant historic buildings.

Many working Helenans (approx. 18%) work for agencies of the state government.{{Cite web|title=Helena, MT |website=Data USA|url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/helena-mt/#:~:text=%C2%B1%207.8%25-,From%202016%20to%202017,%20employment%20in%20Helena,%20MT%20grew%20at,Educational%20Services%20(1,573%20people). |access-date=2020-07-17}} When in Helena, most people visit the local walking mall. It was completed in the early 1980s after Urban Renewal and the Model Cities Program in the early 1970s had removed many historic buildings from the downtown district.{{Cite web|title=Walking Mall 1970s|url=http://www.helenahistory.org/walking_mall_1970s.htm |website=Helena As She Was |access-date=2020-07-17}}{{Cite web|title=Helena in 75 Objects: 34. Downtown Walking Mall|url=https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-34-downtown-walking-mall/article_30a2a0e8-7fe8-11e4-a8d1-631dbe7f932f.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718001226/https://missoulian.com/helena-in-75-objects-34-downtown-walking-mall/article_30a2a0e8-7fe8-11e4-a8d1-631dbe7f932f.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=Missoulian |access-date=2020-07-17}} During the next decade, a three-block shopping district was renovated that followed the original Last Chance Gulch. A small artificial stream runs along most of the walking mall to represent the underground springs that originally flowed above ground in parts of the Gulch.{{Cite web|date=September 2013|title=Greening Last Chance Gulch |url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-01/documents/helena-greening-last-chance-gulch.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223153532/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-01/documents/helena-greening-last-chance-gulch.pdf|archive-date=February 23, 2017 |publisher=Environmental Protection Agency |access-date=July 29, 2020}}

In September 1983, the EPA proposed that an approximately 8.4 acre site in East Helena be listed on the Superfund National Priorities List because of a zinc and lead smelting facility had been emitting heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium into the air and soil for almost a century. Following thorough testing of soil, groundwater, and biological samples (blood, stool, and hair) from local residents, the results showed that residents of East Helena, especially children under seven, recorded significantly higher blood lead levels than those of the average Montana population. Thus, the East Helena site was officially listed in June 1984 and continues to undergo regular remediation and monitoring activities in coordination with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OLEM |date=2015-08-14 |title=National Priorities List (NPL) Sites - by State |url=https://www.epa.gov/superfund/national-priorities-list-npl-sites-state#MT |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}

A significant train wreck occurred on February 2, 1989, in which a 48-car runaway freight train slammed into a parked train near Carroll College, setting off an explosion that blasted out windows up to three miles away, causing most of the city to lose power and forcing some residents to evacuate in subzero weather.{{cite news|last1=Brandt|first1=Angela|date=February 2, 2009|title=20 years ago today, Helena shook, rattled and froze|work=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/article_8984de1d-0792-5aad-8021-fba2af1f35f1.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108065646/https://helenair.com/news/local/article_8984de1d-0792-5aad-8021-fba2af1f35f1.html|archive-date=November 8, 2018}}{{Cite news|date=February 2, 2019|title=Photos: Infamous 1989 train explosion remains one of Helena's worst disasters |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url=https://helenair.com/news/local/photos-infamous-1989-train-explosion-remains-one-of-helenas-worst-disasters/collection_0fd5b0c9-c444-5d14-913e-55e0975df73c.html|access-date=2020-07-17}}{{Cite news|date=February 5, 2019|title=Photos: A train exploded next to Carroll College in 1989 |work=Billings Gazette|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/photos-a-train-exploded-next-to-carroll-college-in-1989/collection_425a5f09-f89f-5567-a668-8d3a4ac5eaa1.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718040101/https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/photos-a-train-exploded-next-to-carroll-college-in-1989/collection_425a5f09-f89f-5567-a668-8d3a4ac5eaa1.html|archive-date=July 18, 2020}}

With the mountains, Helena has much outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing.{{Cite web|title=Fishing|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hlcnf/recreation/fishing|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713202227/https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hlcnf/recreation/fishing|archive-date=July 13, 2020 |website=United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest }}{{Cite web|title=Hunting|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/hlcnf/recreation/hunting|website=United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest }} Great Divide Ski Area is northwest of town near the ghost town of Marysville. Helena is also known for its mountain biking.{{Cite web|last=Palmer|first=Denny K.|date=January 15, 2015|title=Draft Desired Conditions Comments; Forest Plan Revision Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests |url=https://www.montanabicycleguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/011516-Desired-Conditions-Comments_MBG.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719030514/https://www.montanabicycleguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/011516-Desired-Conditions-Comments_MBG.pdf|archive-date=July 19, 2020 |publisher=Montana Bicycle Guild }} It was officially designated as an International Mountain Bicycling Association bronze level Ride Center on October 23, 2013.{{Cite news|last=Madison|first=Erin|date=August 11, 2015|title=Helena makes its mark as mountain bike destination|url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/outdoors/2015/08/03/helena-makes-mark-mountain-bike-destination/31075209/|work=Great Falls Tribune}}{{Cite news|last=Lemon|first=Greg|date=August 15, 2015|title=Helena earns recognition as mountain biking destination |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/helena-earns-recognition-as-mountain-biking-destination/article_5652464d-5f5f-5476-97d9-b3227db8a096.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708043836/https://helenair.com/news/local/helena-earns-recognition-as-mountain-biking-destination/article_5652464d-5f5f-5476-97d9-b3227db8a096.html|archive-date=2018-07-08}}

Helena High School{{Cite web|title=Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Helena High School|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3013830&ID=301383000430 |website=nces.ed.gov |access-date=2020-07-18}} and Capital High School{{Cite web|title=Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Capital High School|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3013830&ID=301383000429 |website=nces.ed.gov |access-date=2020-07-18}} are public high schools in Helena School District No. 1.

In 2017, Helena voters elected as mayor former Liberian refugee Wilmot Collins, who was widely reported to be Helena's first black mayor.{{Cite news|last=Lister|first=Nolan|title=Helena mayor, US Senate candidate found not guilty of leaving crash scene|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/helena-mayor-us-senate-candidate-found-not-guilty-of-leaving-crash-scene/article_c17aa9fe-2687-5586-85a6-e691d3c2ac45.html|website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |access-date=2020-07-18}}{{Cite news|title=In Montana, A Liberian Refugee Mounts A U.S. Senate Challenge|newspaper=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/09/767275774/in-montana-a-liberian-refugee-mounts-u-s-senate-challenge |publisher=NPR |access-date=2020-07-18}} The Independent Record reported contested research indicating that in the early 1870s one E. T. Johnson, listed in the city directory as a black barber from Washington D.C., had been elected mayor, before Helena became an incorporated town.{{cite web |last1=Bridge |first1=Thom |title=Will Helena's Wilmot Collins be Montana's first black mayor? Not exactly, historians say |url=http://helenair.com/news/local/will-helena-s-wilmot-collins-be-montana-s-first-black/article_aeb6ff03-98f2-56c3-b8c3-3aec7de62af5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111044404/http://helenair.com/news/local/will-helena-s-wilmot-collins-be-montana-s-first-black/article_aeb6ff03-98f2-56c3-b8c3-3aec7de62af5.html |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |date=November 8, 2017 |url-status=live}}

File:Helena Montana.jpg (ISS)]]

File:Sleeping Giant 2010.jpg

Surrounding features include the Continental Divide, Mount Helena City Park, Spring Meadow Lake State Park, Lake Helena, Helena National Forest, the Big Belt Mountains, the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Scapegoat Wilderness, the Missouri River, Canyon Ferry Lake, Holter Lake, Hauser Lake, and the Elkhorn Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|16.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|16.35|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012 }}

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Helena Area, MT(ThreadEx).svg

Helena has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with long, cold and moderately snowy winters, hot and dry summers, and short springs and autumns in between.{{Cite web|title=Helena, Mt Climate Helena, Mt Temperatures Helena, Mt Weather Averages|url=https://www.helena-county.climatemps.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718213655/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AMTRcDADupFkJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.helena-county.climatemps.com%2F+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archive-date=July 18, 2020 |website=Climatemps.com |access-date=2020-07-18}} Snowfall has been observed in every month but July, but is usually absent from May to September, and normally accumulates in only light amounts.{{Cite web|date=October 7, 2018|title=Total of Snowfall (Inches)|url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/WRCCWrappers.py?sodxtrmts+244055+por+por+snow+none+msum+5+07+F|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008022650/https://wrcc.dri.edu/WRCCWrappers.py?sodxtrmts+244055+por+por+snow+none+msum+5+07+F|archive-date=October 8, 2018 |website=wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=July 20, 2018}} Winters have periods of moderation, partly due to warming influence from chinooks.{{Cite web|title=Montana Earth Science Picture of the Week|url=http://formontana.net/chinook.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216202226/http://formontana.net/chinook.html|archive-date=December 16, 2019 |website=formontana.net |access-date=2020-07-20}} Precipitation mostly falls in the spring and is generally sparse, averaging only {{convert|11.4|in|0|abbr=}} annually. The hottest temperature recorded in Helena was {{convert|105|°F}} on August 24, 1969, and July 15, 2002, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-42|°F}} on January 31, 1893, January 25, 1957, and February 2, 1996.

{{Weather box

|location = Helena, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1880–present

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 63

|Feb record high F = 69

|Mar record high F = 78

|Apr record high F = 86

|May record high F = 95

|Jun record high F = 104

|Jul record high F = 105

|Aug record high F = 105

|Sep record high F = 102

|Oct record high F = 89

|Nov record high F = 76

|Dec record high F = 70

|Jan avg record high F = 53.2

|Feb avg record high F = 55.6

|Mar avg record high F = 66.7

|Apr avg record high F = 76.6

|May avg record high F = 84.3

|Jun avg record high F = 91.9

|Jul avg record high F = 98.0

|Aug avg record high F = 97.1

|Sep avg record high F = 91.0

|Oct avg record high F = 79.0

|Nov avg record high F = 63.5

|Dec avg record high F = 53.0

|year avg record high F = 99.3

|Jan high F = 32.4

|Feb high F = 37.2

|Mar high F = 47.5

|Apr high F = 56.7

|May high F = 66.4

|Jun high F = 74.7

|Jul high F = 86.1

|Aug high F = 84.6

|Sep high F = 73.3

|Oct high F = 57.6

|Nov high F = 42.8

|Dec high F = 32.6

|year high F = 57.7

|Jan mean F = 23.0

|Feb mean F = 27.2

|Mar mean F = 36.1

|Apr mean F = 44.5

|May mean F = 53.9

|Jun mean F = 61.7

|Jul mean F = 70.6

|Aug mean F = 68.8

|Sep mean F = 58.9

|Oct mean F = 45.5

|Nov mean F = 32.8

|Dec mean F = 23.4

|year mean F = 45.5

|Jan low F = 13.5

|Feb low F = 17.2

|Mar low F = 24.6

|Apr low F = 32.4

|May low F = 41.5

|Jun low F = 48.7

|Jul low F = 55.1

|Aug low F = 52.9

|Sep low F = 44.6

|Oct low F = 33.5

|Nov low F = 22.8

|Dec low F = 14.2

|year low F = 33.4

|Jan avg record low F = -12.6

|Feb avg record low F = -5.3

|Mar avg record low F = 4.0

|Apr avg record low F = 18.4

|May avg record low F = 28.0

|Jun avg record low F = 37.2

|Jul avg record low F = 45.7

|Aug avg record low F = 42.0

|Sep avg record low F = 31.0

|Oct avg record low F = 15.3

|Nov avg record low F = 1.1

|Dec avg record low F = -8.8

|year avg record low F = -19.9

|Jan record low F = -42

|Feb record low F = -42

|Mar record low F = -30

|Apr record low F = -10

|May record low F = 17

|Jun record low F = 30

|Jul record low F = 36

|Aug record low F = 28

|Sep record low F = 6

|Oct record low F = -8

|Nov record low F = -39

|Dec record low F = -40

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.39

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.42

|Mar precipitation inch = 0.52

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.02

|May precipitation inch = 1.95

|Jun precipitation inch = 2.21

|Jul precipitation inch = 1.06

|Aug precipitation inch = 1.04

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.96

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.78

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.59

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.46

|year precipitation inch = 11.40

|Jan snow inch = 6.6

|Feb snow inch = 6.6

|Mar snow inch = 4.6

|Apr snow inch = 2.9

|May snow inch = 0.1

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.3

|Sep snow inch = 0.2

|Oct snow inch = 2.8

|Nov snow inch = 5.4

|Dec snow inch = 7.7

|year snow inch = 37.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 6.5

|Feb precipitation days = 6.5

|Mar precipitation days = 6.9

|Apr precipitation days = 8.8

|May precipitation days = 11.2

|Jun precipitation days = 11.5

|Jul precipitation days = 7.5

|Aug precipitation days = 6.3

|Sep precipitation days = 5.8

|Oct precipitation days = 7.0

|Nov precipitation days = 6.5

|Dec precipitation days = 6.6

|year precipitation days = 91.1

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 5.6

|Feb snow days = 5.6

|Mar snow days = 3.7

|Apr snow days = 2.1

|May snow days = 0.2

|Jun snow days = 0.1

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.1

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 1.5

|Nov snow days = 4.0

|Dec snow days = 5.2

|year snow days = 28.1

|Jan humidity = 66.0

|Feb humidity = 64.1

|Mar humidity = 60.1

|Apr humidity = 53.9

|May humidity = 53.5

|Jun humidity = 52.1

|Jul humidity = 46.4

|Aug humidity = 47.5

|Sep humidity = 54.5

|Oct humidity = 58.3

|Nov humidity = 64.8

|Dec humidity = 68.1

|year humidity = 57.4

|Jan sun = 119.4

|Feb sun = 149.0

|Mar sun = 225.8

|Apr sun = 243.0

|May sun = 282.0

|Jun sun = 308.7

|Jul sun = 370.3

|Aug sun = 324.1

|Sep sun = 254.6

|Oct sun = 202.9

|Nov sun = 118.6

|Dec sun = 99.9

|year sun = 2698.3

|Jan percentsun = 43

|Feb percentsun = 52

|Mar percentsun = 61

|Apr percentsun = 60

|May percentsun = 61

|Jun percentsun = 65

|Jul percentsun = 77

|Aug percentsun = 74

|Sep percentsun = 68

|Oct percentsun = 60

|Nov percentsun = 42

|Dec percentsun = 37

|year percentsun = 60

|Jan dew point C = -12.5

|Feb dew point C = -9.4

|Mar dew point C = -7.2

|Apr dew point C = -3.7

|May dew point C = 0.9

|Jun dew point C = 4.9

|Jul dew point C = 6.5

|Aug dew point C = 5.9

|Sep dew point C = 2.5

|Oct dew point C = -1.8

|Nov dew point C = -6.5

|Dec dew point C = -11.1

|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity, dew points and sun 1961–1990)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024144&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access

|access-date = August 22, 2022

}}

{{cite web

|title = WMO climate normals for HELENA/COUNTY-CITY, MT 1961–1990

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72772.TXT

|access-date = August 2, 2023

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230802224948/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72772.TXT

|archive-date = 2023-08-02}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=tfx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data

|access-date = August 22, 2022

}}

}}

{{Graph:Weather monthly history

| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Helena, Montana.tab

| title=Helena monthly weather statistics

}}

{{US Census population

|1870= 3106

|1880= 3624

|1890= 13834

|1900= 10770

|1910= 12515

|1920= 12037

|1930= 11803

|1940= 15056

|1950= 17581

|1960= 20227

|1970= 22730

|1980= 23938

|1990= 24569

|2000= 25780

|2010= 28190

|2020= 32091

|footnote=source:Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow, 1996, 131.
U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 31, 2014}}

}}

As of the census of 2010,{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-28.pdf|publisher=United States Census Bureau }}{{Cite web|title=Census.gov|url=https://www.census.gov/en.html|access-date=2020-07-20}} there were 28,190 people, 12,780 households, and 6,691 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1724.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 13,457 housing units at an average density of {{convert|823.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 0.4% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

There were 12,780 households, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.6% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.{{Cite news|title=Cities with the most female breadwinners |website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |url=https://helenair.com/jobs/cities-with-the-most-female-breadwinners/article_d9a23144-3410-571c-89d4-50d812ca50ce.html|access-date=July 21, 2020}} The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.77.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The median age in the city was 40.3 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Charles S.|title=Montana population migrating west, Census data shows|url=https://helenair.com/news/montana-population-migrating-west-census-data-shows/article_ea22c4ae-4f94-11e0-9c5f-001cc4c03286.html|website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |access-date=2020-07-21}}

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2020}}

As of the census of 2000,{{Cite web|title=Summary Population and Housing Characteristics, Montana: 2000|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-1-28.pdf|publisher=United States Census Bureau }} there were 25,780 people, 11,541 households, and 6,474 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,840.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 12,133 housing units at an average density of {{convert|866.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The ethnic makeup of the city is 94.8% White, 0.2% African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,541 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,416, and the median income for a family was $50,018. Males had a median income of $34,357 versus $25,821 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,020. About 9.3% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Helena has a long record of economic stability with its history as being the state capital and being founded in an area rich in silver and lead deposits. However, this situation has resulted in a slow growing economy.{{Cite news|last=Manning|first=Tyler|title=Helena's economy continues slow growth as cost of living drops|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/helenas-economy-continues-slow-growth-as-cost-of-living-drops/article_416c186e-1d02-5c2e-886b-ea1361ad5b67.html|website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |access-date=2020-07-19}}{{Cite news|last=Deedy|first=Alexander|title=Poised for growth: Helena's economy remains slow, but leaders optimistic|url=https://billingsgazette.com/business/features/poised-for-growth-helenas-economy-remains-slow-but-leaders-optimistic/article_3387276e-afd3-5c11-86e0-3de6531e442c.html|work=Billings Gazette |access-date=2020-07-19}}{{Cite web|last=Cates-Carney|first=Corin|title=Montana Economic Slowdown Expected, Researchers Say|url=https://www.mtpr.org/post/montana-economic-slowdown-expected-researchers-say |website=www.mtpr.org |date=January 29, 2020|access-date=2020-07-24}} Its status as capital makes it a major hub of activity at the county, state, and federal level.{{Cite web|title=2019 Montana Economic Report|url=http://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/Seminars/2019/EconRpt2019.pdf|publisher=University of Montana }} According to the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, the capital's median household income is $50,889, and its unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in 2013, about 1.2% lower than the rest of the state.{{cite web|title=Helena Economy|url=http://helenachamber.com/economy/|publisher=Helena Area Chamber of Commerce|access-date=December 29, 2014|archive-date=December 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230014746/http://helenachamber.com/economy/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Economic Trends|url=https://helenachamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Trends-Report.pdf|publisher=Helena Area Chamber of Commerce }} Education is a major employer, with two high schools and accompanying elementary and middle schools for K–12 students as well as Helena College. Major private employers within the city of Helena include Carroll College and the medical community.{{Cite web|title=Helena, MT |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/helena-mt/#economy |website=Data USA |access-date=2020-07-19}}{{Cite news|last=Kirkpatrick|first=Maria|title=Helena economy seeing growth in health care and construction|url=https://helenair.com/news/local/helena-economy-seeing-growth-in-heath-care-and-construction/article_c8ee8aec-3b19-5b64-9b1a-dbc4c6040753.html|website=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |access-date=2020-07-24}}

File:Fort Harrison.jpg (pictured in 1894) has been an economic stabilizer of Helena since it was first built.]]

Helena's economy is also bolstered by Fort William Henry Harrison, the training facility for the Montana National Guard, located just outside the city.{{cite web|title=Helena, Montana – Small Community Air Service Development Grant Application – April 2007|url=http://airlineinfo.com/ostpdf65/764.pdf|website=AirlineInfo.com|publisher=Helena Regional Airport Authority|access-date=March 1, 2016}} Fort Harrison is also home to Fort Harrison VA Medical Center, where many Helena-area residents work.{{cite news|last1=Chaney|first1=Jesse|title=Government jobs help stabilize Helena's housing market|url=http://billingsgazette.com/business/government-jobs-help-stabilize-helena-s-housing-market/article_49468913-3cfe-58d7-9119-192835206643.html |newspaper=Billings Gazette|access-date=March 1, 2016}}

File:20030826CarrollCollegeFromMtHelena.jpg

• Carroll College, a Catholic liberal arts college,{{cite web |title=Discover Carroll |url=https://www.carroll.edu/discover-carroll |publisher=Carroll College |access-date=27 September 2023}} which opened in 1909, enrolls around 1,500 students.
• Helena College University of Montana, a two-year affiliate campus of The University of Montana, provides skilled trades and technology degrees as well as general education requirements.{{cite web |title=Why Helena College |url=https://helenacollege.edu/abouthc/whyhc.aspx |publisher=Helena College |access-date=27 September 2023}} It opened in 1939.

Several school districts provide public education from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

The Helena Public School District has two components: Helena Elementary School District and Helena High School District.{{cite web|url=https://apps.opi.mt.gov/SchoolDirectory/frmdirectorydistrictpdf.aspx|title=Directory of Montana Schools|publisher=Montana Office of Public Instruction|date=2024-03-13|access-date=2024-03-13|pages=159–161/319}} Almost all of Helena is in Helena Elementary School District and Helena High School District. A small portion extends into East Helena K-12 Schools.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st30_mt/schooldistrict_maps/c30049_lewis_and_clark/DC20SD_C30049.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lewis and Clark County, MT|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-03-13}}

The Helena Elementary School District consists of 13 schools covering students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade.{{cite web |title=Home page |url=https://helenaschools.org/ |publisher=Helena Public Schools |access-date=27 September 2023}} There were 5,181 students enrolled in the district during the 2021–2022 school year.{{cite web |title=Helena Elem |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&DistrictID=3000005&ID2=3000005 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=September 27, 2023}}

The Helena High School District has two schools for students in 9th through 12th grade. Helena High School had 1,128 students enrolled for the 2021–2022 school year{{cite web |title=Helena High School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3013830&ID=301383000430 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=27 September 2023}} while Capital High School had 1,350.{{cite web |title=Capital High School |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3013830&ID=301383000429 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=September 27, 2023}}

Helena's public library is the main branch of the Lewis & Clark Library.{{cite web |title=About the Helena Branch |url=https://www.lclibrary.org/129/Helena |publisher=Lewis and Clark Library |access-date=27 September 2023}} Branches are also in Augusta, East Helena, and Lincoln.

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}

Helena's Designated Market Area is 205th in size, as defined by Nielsen Media Research, and is the fifth smallest media market in the nation.

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Newspapers
• Independent Record (daily, morning)
• Online news
• Montana Free Press (statewide news source)
• AM radio
• KKGR 680 (Oldies), KGR, LLC
• KCAP 950 (Talk), Cherry Creek Radio
• KROL 1430 (Classic Hits)
• FM radio
• KUHM 91.7 (National Public Radio), Montana NPR
• KQRV 96.9 (Country), Butte Broadcasting Incorporated
• KHGC 98.5 (Adult Contemporary), Cherry Creek Radio
• KBLL 99.5 (Country), Cherry Creek Radio
• KZMT 101.1 (Classic rock), Cherry Creek Radio
• KMXM 102.3 (Adult Contemporary), The Montana Radio Company, LLC
• KJPZ 104.1 (Christian), Hi-Line Radio Fellowship
• KMTX 105.3 (Adult Contemporary)
• Television
• KXLH-LD (CBS/MTN, channel 9)
• KUHM-TV (PBS, channel 10)
• KTVH-DT (NBC/Independent, channel 12)
• KHBB-LD (ABC/Fox, channel 21)

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Josephine Airey, madam and landowner
• Stephen Ambrose, historian, author of Band of Brothers and Undaunted Courage
• Dorothy Baker, madam
• Max Baucus, former U.S. senator from Montana (1978-2014), and former U.S. Ambassador to China (2014-2017){{cite encyclopedia|title=Max Baucus|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=b000243|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• James Presley Ball, African-American daguerreotypist
• Jean Baucus, historian, author, and rancher
• Samuel Beall, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
• Vice Admiral Donald Bradford Beary (1888–1966) (U.S. Navy), implemented Sea Replenishment during World War II
• Patricia Belcher, actress
• Dirk Benedict, actor (The A-Team)
• Brand Blanshard, philosopher
• H. Kim Bottomly, former president of Wellesley College
• Isaac Brock, lead singer of Modest Mouse
• Mary Caferro, Montana state senator
• Thomas Henry Carter, United States senator from Montana{{cite encyclopedia|title=Thomas Henry Carter|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=c000200|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Lane Chandler, actor
• William H. Clagett, congressman from Montana Territory{{cite encyclopedia|title=William H. Clagett|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000400|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Liz Claiborne, fashion designer[http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2007/0627/world/fashion-guru-liz-claiborne-dies-316747.html "Fashion guru Liz Claiborne dies" Breaking News.ie, July 26, 2007]
• Wilmot Collins, first black mayor in Montana since statehood
• Kevin Michael Connolly, photographer
• Mike Cooney, Montana state senator and former Montana Secretary of State
• Gary Cooper, actor
• Margaret Craven, author
• Charles Donnelly, president of the Northern Pacific Railway
• Pat Donovan, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle
• James Earp, saloonkeeper and brother of Wyatt Earp
• Truman C. Everts, Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Montana Territory between July 15, 1864, and February 16, 1870{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/haines1/iee4.htm#everts |title=Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment Biographical Appendix|date=July 4, 2000 |publisher=National Park Service|access-date=September 28, 2009}}
• Casey FitzSimmons, tight end with the Detroit Lions
• Cory Fong, Tax Commissioner of North Dakota
• John Gagliardi, College Football Hall of Fame coach
• Claude Gordon, American trumpet player.
• Pat Gray, Host of Pat Gray Unleashed
• Tyler Knott Gregson, poet and author
• Russell Benjamin Harrison, son of President Benjamin Harrison and Indiana politician
• Rick Hill, congressman from Montana{{cite encyclopedia|title=Rick Hill|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000379|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Norman Holter, biophysicist and inventor of the Holter monitor
• Esther Howard, actress
• Laura E. Howey, educator, librarian, and social reformer
• L. Ron Hubbard,{{cite web |url=http://www.scientology.org/l-ron-hubbard/chronicle/index.html |title=Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, Quote of the Week, Video Biography |publisher=Church of Scientology International |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109094133/http://www.scientology.org/l-ron-hubbard/chronicle/index.html |archive-date=January 9, 2010 }} author and founder of Scientology
• Chuck Hunter, Montana state senator
• Hal Jacobson, member of Montana House of Representatives representing District 82
• Christine Kaufmann, Montana state senator
• Brian Knight, Major League Baseball umpire
• Nathaniel P. Langford, first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park
• Nicolette Larson (1952-97), singer
• Dave Lewis, Montana state senator
• James F. Lloyd, congressman from California{{cite encyclopedia|title=James F. Lloyd|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000379|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Stuart Long, priest
• Myrna Loy, actress
• Martin Maginnis, congressman from Montana Territory
• Tony Markellis, bassist and record producer
• Thomas Francis Meagher, Irish rebel, US Civil War brigadier general, Acting Governor of the Territory of Montana
• Dave Meier, Major League Baseball outfielder
• Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter of The Decemberists
• Maile Meloy, writer
• Dale L. Mortensen, member of Montana House of Representatives representing District 44
• James C. Morton, actor
• Luke Muszkiewicz, state legislator{{Cite web |title=Luke Muszkiewicz |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Luke_Muszkiewicz |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}
• Sean O'Malley, MMA fighter
• Bobby Petrino, head football coach at Missouri State University
• Paul Petrino, head football coach at the University of Idaho
• Charley Pride, country music singer
• Glenn Roush, Montana state legislator
• Henry H. Schwartz, chief of the U.S. General Land Office and U.S. senator from Wyoming{{cite encyclopedia|title=Henry H. Schwartz|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000157|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Leo Seltzer, creator of roller derby
• Vida Ravenscroft Sutton, playwright and radio professional
• George G. Symes, congressman from Colorado{{cite encyclopedia|title=George G. Symes|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S001133|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Robert "Dink" Templeton, Olympic gold medalist in rugby
• Decius Wade, the "Father of Montana Jurisprudence"
• Thomas J. Walsh, U.S. senator from Montana{{cite encyclopedia|title=Thomas J. Walsh|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=w000104|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Henry D. Washburn, Surveyor General, Montana Territory, and commander of the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone in 1870
• William F. Wheeler, U.S. Marshal, Civil War officer, Minnesota territorial Librarian and secretary to two governors, and founder of the Montana Historical Society, first in the West
• John Patrick Williams, former congressman from Montana{{cite encyclopedia|title=John Patrick Williams|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000520|dictionary=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=October 14, 2012}}
• Belle Fligelman Winestine, writer and suffragist
• Molly Wood, executive editor at CNET.com
• Lt. General Samuel Baldwin Marks Young (U.S. Army), former Acting Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park{{cite book |author=Kiki Leigh Rydell |author2=Mary Shivers Culpin |title=Managing the Matchless Wonders-History of Administrative Development in Yellowstone National Park, 1872-1965 YCR-CR-2006-03 |publisher=National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources |year=2006 |url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/historyculture/admindevel.htm |chapter=Administration in Turmoil-Yellowstone's Management in Question 1907-1916 |pages=51–74}}

}}

• Capital City Mall (Montana)
• USS Helena, five ships

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Wood, Anthony. "After the West Was Won How African American Buffalo Soldiers Invigorated the Helena Community in Early Twentieth-Century Montana". Montana 66.3 (2016): 36–50.

{{Commons category|Helena, Montana}}

{{EB1911 poster|Helena (Montana)|Helena, Montana}}

{{Wikivoyage|Helena (Montana)|Helena}}

• {{official website|http://www.helenamt.gov/}}
• [http://www.helenahistory.org/ Vintage images on HelenaHistory.org]
• {{cite web|title=Helena, Montana|url=https://www.c-span.org/series/?citiesTour&city=4571|publisher=C-SPAN Cities Tour|date=November 2013}}

{{Lewis and Clark County, Montana}}

{{Montana}}

{{Montana Regions and Towns with Breweries}}

{{United States state capitals}}

{{Montana county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Montana

Category:Cities in Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Category:County seats in Montana

Category:Populated places established in 1864

Category:Helena, Montana micropolitan area

Category:Mining communities in Montana

Category:Gold mines in the United States

Category:1864 establishments in Montana Territory

Category:State capitals in the United States