Explore Helena

Explore Helena with photos or old buildings side by side with a modern photo of the same building.

Old	New
Algerian Shrine Temple – Prior to 1959 Corner of Benton and Neill Avenues Civic Center – October 2013 Corner of Benton and Neill Avenues The Helena Civic Center is a Moorish Revival building. It was built in 1919, as the headquarters of the Algerian Shrine. As a result of the 1935 earthquakes, it faced substantial damage and shortly after, the city of Helena bought it from the Shrine. After the city purchased the building, the south side of the building was changed. The fenestration on the south side of the building was changed, a narrow Moorish window in the east tower was bricked up and three large window openings were added.	Civic Center – October 2013 Corner of Benton and Neill Avenues Now, the Civic Center has the old silver bell which once hung in the fire tower on display in front of the building. It was placed there in 1951. The high circular observation platform of the Civic Center minaret, just below the dome, is reached by climbing wooden steps, hung from horizontal timbers that are located inside the structure. Today, it has a 15,000 square foot ballroom and exhibition hall, and a 2000 seat auditorium. The Civic Center is currently owned by the city of Helena.
The Assay Office- undated photo 206 Broadway The Assay Office was built in 1875. This two story red brick building was designed by A.B Mullet with William A. Potter as supervising architect on the project. The function of the Assay Office was to receive and process gold from prospectors in the region. The building was the second federal building in Montana. The prison in Deer Lodge was the first. As one of the five U.S. Assay Offices, this office processed $30 million worth of gold by 1900. On July 1, 1934, the Assay Office was closed. Photo courtesy of the Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT	The Assay Office- November 2013 206 Broadway Although most of the architecture is still the same, the use of the building has changed and is now an apartment building. However, huge ovens used to melt down the gold still remain in the basement. A Baptist church has been built right next to the Assay Office. Over the years, phone lines have been installed in the area and vegetation has sprung up around the building. Notice that the building on the far left of the photo is also pictured in the historic photo. Author/Photographer Cody Tofflemire HSD#1 High school GT Program, Helena, MT
The Power Block – undated photo Corner of 6th Avenue and Main Street The Power Block was owned by local businessman Thomas C. Power who also served as one of Montana’s first senators from 1890 to 1895.The Power Block was designed in the Romanesque Revival style by Willets and Ashley of Chicago and built of granite by Shaffer and Read in 1889 on an old feed and stable site. Notice how the numbers of windows on the corner of the building coincide with each floor. The building housed Power's American National Bank from 1892 into the 1920's Photo courtesy of the Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT	The Power Block – November 2013 Corner of 6th Avenue and Main Street The Power Block still resides in its original location and currently houses many businesses. Even though it is now known as the Power Block, the name Power Building was its original name and was carved above the entrance. In 2010 on January 23, the first level of the Power Block was damaged by a fire. Since the fire a room was discovered under the building where items such as documents, antiques, and women’s and men’s clothing materials from the 1960's were found. Author/Photographer Jessica Tielking HSD#1 High School GT Program, Helena, MT