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Completed
in 1893, the first Helena High School was located on the southwest
corner of Lawrence and N. Warren. It was designed by Helena-based
architect John C. Paulsen.
The site
for both the High School and adjacent Central School was the
city's first cemetery. Most of the remains were moved to the
Benton Avenue, Forestvale and Home of Peace cemeteries, but
it is likely that remains are still buried on the grounds.
In 1935,
the 1893 High School was replaced by a new building, on Rodney
St. at Helena Avenue. The old school was used for various
activities before it was demolished in 1976, after a legal
battle between the School Board and local presrvationists.
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Footprint
of the 1893 Helena High School
LITHOGRAPH
BY WARD BROS., COLUMBUS OHIO - COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD
Helena High School, ca. 1900
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Interior
of the old High School
COURTESY
OF AUB KIRKLAND • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR
A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
Former
President Theodore Rooselvelt on the High School Steps, 1911
FROM
"HELENA",
A POSTCARD HISTORY, COURTESY OF AUTHOR TOM MULVANEY
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW
WINDOW
| Former
U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt spoke from the Warren St.
steps of the High School on April 12, 1911. Colonel Roosvelt
was in Helena for one day, on the final leg of a long western
tour. According to newspaper reports, Roosevelt was quite
busy during his visit. He was driven up and down Main St.
during a brief snowstorm, visited the Montana Club, Fort Harrison,
the Federal Building and the City Auditorium, where he met
with a convention of Civil War veterans. He also dined at
the home of his old friend, Montana rancher Conrad Kohrs.
A planned drive across the Helena Valley to visit the Missouri
River dams was cancelled. Roosevelt left Helena, via private
rail car, around midnight. |
Helena
High School pennant, ca. 1915
Souvenir
pin tray, about 1900
Probably
manufactured in Germany.
Aerial
View of Helena High School, 1934
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON •
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
Helena
High School, 1934
| One year
before the great earthquakes. Compare this to the 1973 image
below, also showing the north side of the building, to see
how much architectural detail was lost in the quakes. |
Old
Helena High School from Lawrence St., winter 1973-74
PHOTO
BY WALLACE "SKIP" MILLEGAN (1951-1982) • COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Old Helena High School, 1976
Photos by Patty Dean
As seen from
the west
Where Theodore
Roosevelt stood and spoke in 1911
Turret on the
southeast corner
North side,
facing Lawrence St.
Old
Helena High School Demolition, 1976
Photos by Henry W. Jorgensen
Preservationists
Tell Why the Old Building Was Razed, 1976
Reminders and Remnants of the Old School
Cornerstone Moved to Current Helena High, 1976
| Some
of the golden oak flooring from the building was salvaged
and used as a back bar in "Ichabod's", a pub in
the Arcade Building, on the downtown walking mall. The pub
is long gone. |
Embossed
Sidewalk on Lawrence Street
COURTESY
OF TOM KILMER
Stone
From the Old School Can Be Seen Around Helena
Three Photos by Ellen
Baumler • November 2011
| People
were evidently allowed to haul away stone from the rubble
of the demolished High School. As well as being of sentimental
and historical value, much of it was put to practical use... |
CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
