Placer Hotel (aka Hotel Placer) • 1913 - Today

The Placer Hotel Under Construction, December 9 1912

FROM THE 1964 LAST CHANCE STAMPEDE PROGRAM • COURTESY OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER

The Placer Hotel (aka "Hotel Placer"), southeast corner of Last Chance Gulch and Grand St. Completed in 1913, the Placer was for many years Helena's finest hotel; it has now been converted to condominiums. The building was designed by George H. Carsley in association with Cass Gilbert. As an unofficial headquarters for Montana legislators and lobbyists, the Placer was the scene of much political intrigue over the decades. Numerous celebrities called the Placer home during their visits to Helena.

Postcard View of the New Placer

Placer Hotel, circa 1928


COURTESY OF TOM KILMER

 

Main Street Entrance, circa 1930

 

 

1940s View of the Placer

Note the stylish and welcoming Cheerio Lounge sign.

A 1950s Postcard View

 

 

Placer Hotel Lobby

 

 

Placer lobby from the Mezzanine

Placer Hotel Mezzanine

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Placer Hotel Cafe

 

Placer Hotel Ballroom

COLLECTION OF NANCY GOODSPEED

Placer Hotel Barbershop

THE DAVID HULL COLLECTION

The Rathskeller, Basement of the Placer Hotel, 1923

FROM THE 1972 LAST CHANCE STAMPEDE PROGRAM - COURTESY OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER

1930s Air Mail Envelope

 

 

Corner of the Placer Hotel, Main at Grand, 1957


COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

 

John F. Kennedy
Room 620

Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy stayed overnight at the Placer Hotel in June of 1960. Accompanying him on the trip were Ted Kennedy and Sargent Shriver.

 

 

May 5, 1965 Arson Fire
NO ARRESTS MADE

 

Frederick Delano Killed in Elevator Accident, 1967

Delano was 70 years old, and his co-worker Walter Favorit was 59 at the time of this accident. Favorit died in South Dakota in 1987.

 

 

Constuction on what was once Grand Street, 1970s

Urban Renewal eliminated Grand Street, along with all its Victorian buildings.

 

 

Luggage Sticker and Trade Tokens

 

Decorative Detail on Placer Hotel China

Placer Hotel Matchbooks, Room Key & Corkscrew

1940s

1950s