Helena, Montana
Helena owes its existence to the gold discoveries in Last Chance Gulch by four prospectors
in the summer of 1864. The discovery of placer gold, quartz gold and
silver, as well as lead, created an overnight boom town. Last Chance Gulch
produced an estimated $3.6 billion (in today’s dollars) in gold over a
20-year period. The Museum of Gold collection at Norwest Bank displays gold dust to nuggets as big as 244
ounces. This tribute to Montana pioneers is valued at $600,000.
Montana’s third territorial capital and the state capital today became the “Queen City
of the Rockies” with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. The
first gold strike came in 1852 in Deer Lodge Valley; however, the rush for
gold in Montana didn’t start until 1862 with the strike at Bannack. In
1864 a group known as the “Four Georgians” (consisting of John Cowan,
D. J. Miller, John Crab, and Reginald, or Robert Stanley), stumbled upon
gold in what is now Helena’s main street. The claim was staked and named
“Last Chance Gulch.” The “Four Georgians” worked the gulch until
1867, when they went back East, taking large amounts of dust with them.
As the gulch began to fill with people, the miners decided they needed to come up with a name
for the town. The “Four Georgians” originally named it Crabtown after
John Crab, one of the founders. Searching for a name, the miners decided
on a town name from Minnesota, pronounced Saint Hel-E-na. To the miners
HEL may have been spelled HELL, and from then on was called Helena. Saint
was dropped from the name as it was deemed unnecessary.
In 1875, Helena became the capital of Montana Territory. When Montana became a state, the
fight for the location of the state capital pitted ‘Copper King’
Marcus Daly of Anaconda against rival William A. Clark, who supported
Helena. Helena won, and in October 1898, ground was broken for the new
capitol. Helena is still the seat of Montana’s state government and
politics.
The downtown area of the capital city is situated in a steep gulch with parts of the city
perched on surrounding hillsides. This picturesque setting opens up into a
wide valley to the north. On the upper eastside sits Montana’s State
Capitol. Helena’s glorious past can be seen in the spectacular
19th-century mansions, historic Last Chance Gulch businesses, and restored
pioneer dwellings.
Gates of the Mountains; as Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri River in this area,
Meriwether Lewis was struck by the steep canyon walls and noted ‘the
Gates of the Mountains’ in his journal. Boat tours are available at the
Gates of the Mountains, 16 miles north of Helena off I-15.
The Last Chance Tour Train features informative, entertaining tours of the city. The tour
begins at the Montana Historical Society. A one-hour train ride provides a
spectacular tour of the Capital City, complete with a lesson in Helena’s
colorful history.
Numerous old mines and settlements exist nearby. Just eight miles from the Continental
Divide, Helena is surrounded by mountains. The Missouri River flows nearby
with several lakes within a short driving distance. Holter and Hauser
Lakes, created by two of the three dams on the Missouri River in the
Helena area, are perfect for outdoor recreation including fishing,
swimming, camping, water-skiing and boating.
Canyon Ferry Lake, just 20 minutes east of Helena, is a large reservoir on the Missouri River
that offers recreation in all forms. Camping, sailing, boating, swimming
and fishing are just the start. You’ll also see ice boaters here in the
winter.
The Helena area is known for sapphires as well as gold. The Spokane Bar Mine near Hauser Lake
is one of half a dozen digging sites.
CAMPGROUND ACCOMMODATIONS IN HELENA
Helena Campground & RV Park: Well kept campground with shade trees & green grass. Breakfast & ice cream socials in peek season. No road noise here - We like Quiet!
Helena Campground & RV Park
5820 North MT Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: 406-458-4714
Local: 406-458-4714
Email: info@helenacampgroundrvpark.com
Website: http://www.helenacampgroundrvpark.com
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