The Lee Building ~ in Chinatown
14-16 West State Street • Demolished During Urban Renewal

The Lee Building and Other W. Bridge (State) St.
Businesses ca. 1890


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The site of the Lee Building is now near the Lewis & Clark Library. West State Street (originally W. Bridge St.) was eliminated during Urban renewal in the 1970s. South Park Ave. was widened during that time.

Before the Lee Building was constructed circa 1886, the site was occupied by a Chinese "wash house" (laundry). Chinatown occupied an area extending several blocks south of the Lee Building site, between West Main and Clore (now S. Park Avenue).

The building was owned by Lee Sam Fong (ca.1845-1908), who made a prosperous living in Helena real estate. He was well-respected in the Helena business community at a time when feeling gainst the Chinese was high.

Lee Sam Fong
Detail of a Photo by J. P. Ball
Courtesy of Crystal Wong Shors




 

The Lee Building circa 1920, Seen from Old City Hall


COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN


Damaged by the 1935 Earthquakes

One of Lee's daughters had the foresight to insure the building before the earthquakes. The building was condemned, and should have been demolished. The daughters and Lee's widow collected the insurance and moved to the westside.

The building was purchased by Nels Bergman (1870-1959), who moved to Helena from Minnesota in 1935 to invest in real estate, probably post-quake bargains like the Lee Building.

Although repairs were made, the building remained in poor condition, and was slated to be torn down in 1948 after numerous violations and unsanitary conditions were found. Additional repairs were then made, and the building survived until the 1970s Urban Renewal projects essentially leveled the neighborhood.

 

The Lee Building, Vigilante Parade, 1940s


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An architectural survey of the building was done in 1968 as part of the Urban Renewal program. By that time, the ornate cornice had been removed and the tall first-floor windows had been mostly boarded over. The building was then owned by Helena attorney Arthur P. Acher, and was classified in the survey as a "Slum Dwelling". It was demolished in the early 1970s.




Special thanks to Crystal Wong Shors for her help
in putting together this feature!

Lee Building, 1968


JACOBSON & SHOPE ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY 1968