The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
A STORY OF TWO YEARS.
The GRAND PROGRESS OF THE QUEEN CITY, HELENA,
SHE STANDS SUPREME WITHOUT RIVAL

"a WV yCdI6 SUhuU1uE, nAS our
ing the present year been reorganized on a
more extensive scale. X. j. Turnbull is
superintendent. About one wear ago this
company erected building which cost
Tz5,UO, but it proved Inadequate to the de-
mands made upon it. A mammoth power
mousse, lsxlO feet, has just been completed
ana when the new plant is in position il
Will be the most extensive in the west. Ten
boilers OF lOO-horse power each will furnish
the steam and pair oftwin Corliss engines
of 25O-horse power each. in addition to those
nov nov. IN use at the old station
drive the dynamos. Eight improved
dynamos will generate the current, and a
great many miles of new wire of double the
carrying capacity will be erected. Feb
ruary l is the date fixed for startinR this
mammoth plant and when all is in position
an investment of $250OOO will be represent
ed thereby.
And within the past two years great gas
plant has been established in Helena.
been increased and over fourteen miles of
gas mains laid. The gas company has in
vested S275,OOO in its plant, which is among
the most complete to be found in the counl
try.
And buildings? Why, it is simply amaz-
ing to note the city's progress in this re-
spect. Two years ago Helena had only one
of three stories. Two years ago the east
and west limits of the settled portions of
the city were not one mile apart. To-day.
what change! Where large plats of un-
occupied ground were seen, there are now
to be found beautiful homes and lawns.
Two years ago; not house stood on what
IS now called the west side, through which
the hauser boulevard passes. To-day the
most elegant and luxurious homes of the
city are to be found there. The building
OF the steam motor line was the result Of
this. More than 100 beautiful dwell
lngs have been erected there within
the past two years, and many
side, too. has been a marvel Of growth.
Hundreds upon hundreds of cozy and cost
~ dwellings have sprung up there, while in
the more settled portions some palatial
residences have been completed. Within
the past ten months another site has sprung
up as rival of the west side for palatial
homes. Eighteen very fine residences, to-
be occupied by some of the wealthiest peo-
pie OF the city, are receiving the finishing
touches. They will range in cost from
$4,000 to 1926, 900 each.ss
Two years ago the First National bank
was pointed to with pride as the most ele.
CANT business structure in the city. Jno.
y. Thompson, of Pittsburg, was among the
hrst OF eastern capitalists to recognize the
Importance OF Helena as place of invest
ment. He was the first. also, to erect a
four-story business block. His initial
stroke of enterprise was the erection of the
Penn block, at a cost of 60,O0O. Next he
built the Pittsburg block, four stories high
and one of the most complete business edi-
noes in the west. 1t is . an office
h bIiiding and cost the owner $780,
resented by John w. Thompson.
his son, young man of pluck and energy
and high character, and who is welded to
Helena. The Thompson interests in the
city to-day could not be bought for a half
million dollars. Their fine business blocks
years by the we'll known architects, Paulsen
& Mcconnell. Then there is the Atlas
block. four stories, an imposing edifice of
solid granite front, which cost S65, 600.
Immediately opposite stands the Merchants
National and Montana National bank
buildings. The former is a substantial
tour story structure of granite, pressed
brick and terra Gotta, which cost $4,000.
It is as solid as the rock of Gibraltar and
building that is greatly admired. Col.
Broadwater paid out during the present
year S50,OO to improve the Montana Ma
tional bank building. It is five stories high
with basement. The first story is granite.
the entrance to the bank being polished
and carved granite of beautiful designs.
The bank building to- day represents an in
vestment of 100000.
The mammoth Power block ia the only
seven story building in the city. It was
completed this year and was built entirely
of stone taken from quarry three miles
from the city. 1t is a building that would
be credit even to Chicago. Two years
ago dilapidated stable stood where the
Power block now stands. This building
cost $4,000.
No less important and attractive is the
elegant Bailey block. This Is five stories
high and cost $4,000. The Iron Front
two years. existence that cost $l25OOO. It
IS four stories high. with solid iron front |
Other four story structures built within the |
past two years are the Helena hotel, Gran
lte block, five stories, Grandon block, Dia-
mond block, Electric block, A. p. Curtin
furniture house. Merchants hotel, Wallace |
Il Thornburgh. Broadway block.
In noting what has been accomplished
within two years, the famous Broadwater
hotel and natatorium looms up grandly in |
the grander spectacle. Two years ago,
where now stands the famous hotel and |
more famous natatorium, was unoccupled
ground. Within eighteen months great |
has taken place, and a |
$4,000 hotel, and 500 600 plunge bath,
with magnificent grounds and electric
VOTES. representing all told an investment i
d $ouO.OOO, now stands as monuments to !
y ne enterprise and business sagacity Of Col.
A. hroadwater. Here the people of
ueiena ana tourists from all parts Of the
world ind in the mountains vision of eIe-
gance, beauty, comfort and conyenianca
that has been heralded and talked of eyerv-
where. 70 Helena, the Broadwater, as the |
great resort is commonly called, is what !
Long Branch is to the effete east.
Helena ID city of homes. All the COM |
forts of life are emf ved here. In point of |
facilities the past two years
have witnessed great step to the FORE The
Wesleyan university was thrown
open few months ago. When fully COM
pleted this structure will have cost close to
b, O0O, GOO. The sum of 100000 was in
rested this year and an elegant edifice,
'hough only portion of what it will be, !
designed this institution.
The citizens of Helena few months 400
7oted school bonds in the sum of 100000.
Since then four fine school buildings have
been erected. The high school building, of !
'olid granite, will cost, when completed,
close to 100000. The stone work is already
lone ana in early spring it will be ready for
occupancy. No city of equal population in
he world can show SO many fine public
ichool buildings, or better educational
ABILITIES than Helena. The Roman Catho-
les, within the past two years, completed a
convent for girls and BOYS school. and
will next year build large college
or young men. The ConereRationaists
lext summer of dne college, that will Ill
imately cost million dollars. They will
AVE college in keeping with their famous
'astern institutions.
Churches, too, have been built during the
,ast two years, in all parts of the CITY.