Arthur
P. Curtin Co.
A Department Store on Grand Street
| The massive
A. P. Curtin block was on the south side of Grand Street, one
of early Helena's most impressive commercial avenues. The buildings
and Grand Street were destroyed during "Urban Renewal"
in the 1970s. |
Location
of Grand Street & the A. P. Curtin Co.
|
Arthur
P. Curtin
1848-1931
Died in his Placer Hotel Apartment
Condensed
f rom his April 8, 1931 Helena Independent Obituary...
Mr.
Curtin was born in Richwoods,Mo., near St. Joseph, on March
6, 1848. He moved with his family to St. Joseph at the age
of 12, and received his education in that city. Coming to
Montana in 1862, Mr. Curtin remained only about a year before
returning to St. Joseph, where he engaged in business for
several years. He returned to Montana in 1867 and located
in Helena. He has engaged In business here ever since.
Mr. Curtin's name has been linked closely with the history
Helena from that time. His public
spiritedness won him many friends in the city and throughout
the state. Mr. Curtin was beloved for his genial nature, hisiInherent
kindness of heart and his sterling character.
Arriving
in Helena by team and wagon from Fort Benton [in 1867], he
first took employment in a hardware store. Later he worked
for the J. R. Boyce Dry Goods company and after a short time
with that firm, began his business career.
His
first undertaking was a carpet shop. This he sold in 1878
and left to attend the Paris Exposition. After spending several
months in foreign travel, he returned to Helena in 1880 and
entered the furniture business.
Steadily
expanding business necessitated his construction of a five-story
building, running from Grand to Breckenridge streets, which
opened on November 20, 1895. His later enterprises included
a book and stationery store, a music and art establishment.
|
A. P. Curtin Store Skeleton Key and Tag, circa 1900
Collection of Kennon Baird
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
| Tag manufactured by the Salisburg Mfg. Co, Providence, Rhode Island, patented 1895 |
Interior
Views of the Store, circa 1912
Collection of Kennon Baird
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Chair purchased at Curtin's in 1904, still in Helena
Courtesy of Merrill Richey
Business Envelope, 1909
Arthur
P. Curtin Retires in 1920
A.
P. Curtin Furniture Ad, 1924
| The Curtin
Co. carried a wide variety of merchandise for the home, including
stoves, crockery and glassware, draperies, sewing machines,
wallpaper and pianos. |
Curtin
Music House Located on Sixth Avenue
 |
The Curtin
Music House operated on Sixth Avenue from at least 1919 to 1924,
perhaps longer. If you would like to hear John McCormack's "Three
o'Clock in the Morning", as advertised, click
here. |
Store
Sold in 1938, Became Grand Street Furniture Co.
| In 1938,
the A. P Curtin Furniture Company was purchased by Lesley Walker
and partners. It then became the Grand Street Furniture Company... |
The
Curtin Block, Grand Street, ca. 1972
COURTESY
OF SEAN LOGAN
| Grand Street
Furniture and Friel's Gift and China were long-time tenants
in the Curtin block when the decision was made by urban planners
to demolish the block and eliminate Grand Street. The building
was sold by owner Lesley Walker to Urban Renewal in 1972. The
building was razed in 1973. |
The
Curtin Block, Breckenridge Street, ca. 1972
COURTESY
OF SEAN LOGAN
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
Demolition,
1973
|
