Editing Helena, Montana (section)

===Wealth boom===
[[File:Helena Cathedral.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Cathedral of Saint Helena|St. Helena Cathedral]]]]
By 1888 about 50 millionaires lived in Helena, more per capita than in any city in the world.<ref>{{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}}</ref> They had made their fortunes from gold.<ref>{{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}}</ref> It is estimated about $3.6 billion in today's money was extracted from Helena during this period of time.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Last Chance Placer is one of the most famous [[placer deposit]]s in the western United States. Most of the production occurred before 1868. Much of the placer is now under Helena's streets and buildings.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

This large concentration of wealth was the basis of developing fine residences and ambitious architecture in the city; its [[Victorian era|Victorian]] neighborhoods reflect the gold years.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The numerous miners also attracted the development of a thriving [[red light district]]. Among the well-known local [[pimp|madams]] was [[Josephine Airey|Josephine "Chicago Joe" Airey]], who built a thriving business empire between 1874 and 1893, becoming one of Helena's largest and most influential landowners.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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, [[Dorothy Baker (madam)|"Big Dorothy" Baker]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
[[File:Helena capitol.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Montana State Capitol]] building]]

In 1889, railroad magnate [[Charles Arthur Broadwater]] opened his Hotel Broadwater and Natatorium west of Helena.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The Natatorium was home to the world's first indoor swimming pool. Damaged in the [[1935 Helena earthquake]], it closed in 1941.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The property's many buildings were demolished in 1976.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Until the [[1900 United States census|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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=1900 United States Census|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |year=1901|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=461}}</ref>

Among the settlers the city's prosperity attracted were Blacks fleeing racism in the [[Southeastern United States|South]]. Many found work in the mines or on the railroads and established a middle class that supported Black-owned businesses, [[Black church]]es, 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 town]]s, 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.<ref>{{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|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}}</ref>

In 1916, the [[United Daughters of the Confederacy]] commissioned the construction of the [[Confederate Memorial Fountain (Helena, Montana)|Confederate Memorial Fountain]] in Hill Park.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> It was the only Confederate memorial in the [[Northwestern United States]].<ref name="mtstandardheleneofficialstodiscuss">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The [[Archie Bray Foundation]], a ceramics center founded in 1952, is just northwest of Helena, near Spring Meadow Lake.<ref>{{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}}</ref>