Grandon Hotel • 1885 to 1968



FROM THE 1962 LAST CHANCE STAMPEDE PROGRAM • COURTESY OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER

The Grandon Hotel under construction, southwest corner of Sixth Ave. and N. Warren. Built in 1885, it was destroyed by fire on March 14, 1968. Three lives were lost in the blaze. The building was notable for the single granite column supporting the northeast bay. The photo above shows the hotel under construction. Originally four stories high with a corner dome, a fifth story with an observation cupola and railing was soon added...

Location of the Grandon


46°35'16.76"N 112° 2'10.88"W

 

COURTESY OF ROBERT CLARKSON • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Postcard View

Business Directory Ad for the Grandon Hotel

COURTESY OF SCOTT NELSON - THE BRIDGEWORKS CONSERVANCY

Souvenir Metal Trays from the Grandon

BOTH FROM THE COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Trade Token from the Grandon

Presumably good for one free adult beverage.

 

 

"The Grandon" Room Key Fob

Courtesy of Scott Nelson

1890s view taken from N. Warren St.

Views from Atop the Grandon, circa 1911
Click on Images for Big Versions in New Windows
Courtesy of Wendi Kottas Peterson

Looking West

 

Looking North

Grandon Hotel from the West, early 1930s

COURTESY OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON

Grandon and Adjacent Buildings, Looking West, ca. 1949

COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG

 

March 14, 1968 Fire

COURTESY OF THE GEORGE HUBER COLLECTION VIA CAPT. SEAN LOGAN OF THE HELENA FIRE DEPT.

Killed in the blaze were Charles Voels, Casper Gross and Mrs. Augusta "Sarah" Brown, 85, owner of the hotel. It took until May 3rd, 50 days after the fire, to recover remains of all the victims from the rubble.

 

 

Grandon Hotel in Ruins

COURTESY OF THE GEORGE HUBER COLLECTION VIA CAPT. SEAN LOGAN OF THE HELENA FIRE DEPT.

March 15, 1968 Independent Record Story by Les Rickey (1939-2005)

CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN PDF FILE

 

Site of the Grandon, September 2011

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD