Including Hill Park, Women's Park
46°35'39.29"N 112° 2'26.02"W

1930s Tinted Postcard of the Algeria Shrine Temple

Built in 1920-21 as the headquarters of the Algeria Shrine, this remarkable Moorish Revival style building, with its towering minaret, has long been a popular postcard and snapshot subject. The building suffered substantial damage in the 1935 earthquakes, and the City of Helena purchased it from the Shrine shortly thereafter. It was the home of City offices until 1976, when they were removed to the renovated 1904 Federal Building. The police department operated from the Civic Center for decades, and the fire department still has a staion there. For a detailed history of the Civic Center, download the 1987 National Register of Historic Places nomination form , courtesy of the Montana Historical Society's Montana History Wiki.

Algeria Shrine Cornerstone Ceremony
June 19, 1920

COURTESY OF KARLA SHERRY • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW

 

 

The Algeria Shrine Temple Nearing Completion, 1921
Note scaffolding in front archway

COURTESY OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION

Detail Showing Scaffolding

 

Dedication Ceremony Souvenir Button

 

Recent Satellite Image of the Civic Center Area

Algeria Shrine Temple from the Federal Building, probably 1924

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

 

Algeria Shrine Temple and a Corner of Hill Park, 1920s

COURTESY OF TOM KILMER

Intersection of Benton Ave. and Neill Ave.

Algeria Shrine Temple in Winter, 1920s


COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Algeria Shrine Temple, 1920s

Algeria Shine Temple & the Great Northern Depot from Women's Park, 1920s

In 1938, the Helena Chamber of Commerce briefly entertained plans to build a log cabin history museum on the NE corner of Women's Park. Helena women's clubs and other concerned women nixed the location because construction would have changed the original design of the park, which they felt would have been unfair to the memory of women instrumental in making the park a possibility, and would have displaced benches and fountains that had been placed as memorials. In May of 1939, a small museum opened in the west end of the Great Northern Depot.

Algeria Shrine Temple, ca. 1928

COURTESY OF TOM MULVANEY • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

 

Algeria Shrine Band in front of the Temple, 1920s

Souvenir folder featuring the Algeria Shrine Temple, 1920s

1935 Earthquake Damage

Both photos show damage on the west side, along Park Ave. There was similar damage on the east side, as well as extensive cracking of interior plaster. The ballroom, on the north end of the building, apparently was not extensively damaged; public events, including fundraisers for building repair, were held there in 1936 and '37. Repairs on the Temple concluded in December of 1937.

West Side, Nov. 17 1935


COURTESY OF THE SEAN LOGAN COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Looking Northeast , Nov. 17 1935

COURTESY OF THE SEAN LOGAN COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

 

East Side, Oct. 18 1935

COURTESY OF THE ANN AND JOHN FAY COLLECTION, VIA KALLY PORRINI

 

East Side, Nov. 10 1935

COURTESY OF THE SEAN LOGAN COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Undergoing Repair
Four Photos Courtesy of the Helena Civic Center, via Kerry Brown
Special Thanks to Diane Stavnes

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The Wall Above the Auditorium Stage Required Additional Repair

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The Original Dome
1921 - 1938

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

The dome of the Algeria Shrine Temple minaret was originally covered with blue terra cotta tiles, and topped by a metal crescent and star motif. The City purchased the building following the 1935 earthquakes.

 

Original Blue Terra Cotta Tiles Can Still Be Seen
AT THE BASE OF THE SMALL ONION DOME

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD

The tiles are difficult to see from street level. Many layers of paint are visible on the onion dome.

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD

The City of Helena Removed the Blue Tile Dome in 1938
Replaced with sheet copper dome in 1939 following protests

COURTESY OF CAPT. SEAN LOGAN & THE HELENA FIRE DEPT.
FOR MORE HISTORIC HFD PHOTOS, CLICK HERE!

 

COLLECTION OF TED KIRKMEYER, COURTESY OF TOM MULVANEY
COLORIZED AND ENHANCED PHOTOGRAPH

Promotional float for the Marlow Theatre, parked on Fuller Avenue, 1939. In the background is the domeless Civic Center minaret.

In July of 1977, Entrepreneur Clem Meyer of Helena recalled to an Independent Record reporter what covering the restored dome with copper was like... "It's 208 feet to the top," Meyer said. "I had to cut the copper to fit like barrel staves, then carry it up the stairs to the balcony." From there he climbed scaffolding to the peak. "I used to be able to walk a 2 X 4 joist,"he said. "Now I can't walk on a plank. "DON'T GET OLD," he ordered with a rueful smile.

 

Civic Center from Women's Park, 1940s

This from the National Park Service's Women's Progress Commemorative Commission Women's History Site Database (pdf file): Prior to 1905, the area that later became Women's Park was a spot were women often stopped to rest on their way back to their west side homes after shopping downtown. Rose bushes were informally planted and benches placed in what became known as the Women's Resting Place. In 1913, James and Mary Hill donated the land to the City of Helena for the park. The property was split in two with the construction of Fuller Avenue in 1918, and the parks became known as Hill Park and Women's Park. The Women's Park Association was formed during this period. They held a benefit ball to raise funds to beautify the parks in 1916, and over the years dedicated additional benches and other improvements.

Postcard view from Hill Park, 1940s

 

A late 1940's postcard view

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Civic Center façade

 

A late-afternoon view, before 1951

We can date this photo because we don't see the old silver bell which once hung in the fire tower on display in front of the Civic Center. It was placed there in 1951 (see it in the following photo).

 

Civic Center from Hill Park, ca.1954

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Fire trucks at the ready!

 

1954 Helena fire truck, purchased from The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin.

 

Park Ave. and the Civic Center, 1957

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

 

Inside the Minaret, June 24 2009

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD

The high circular observation platform of the Civic Center minaret, just below the dome, is reached by climbing wooden steps located inside the structure. The steps are hung from horizontal timbers. Pictured above is the door leading out to the large square observation platform at the base of the cylindrical minaret.

 

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD

A view of the steps, about halfway up the minaret.

 

Downtown from the Minaret, June 24 2009

PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

Inside the East Tower, 2012

As part of the conversion of the Algeria Shrine Temple into City Hall after the 1935 earthquakes, the fenestration on the south side of the building was changed, primarily to create a Helena Fire Department training facility. The east tower was substantially augmented, with a narrow Moorish window being bricked up and three large rectangular window openings added...

Bricked-up Moorish Window Seen from Inside the East Tower

COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN

The new windows, installed in the late 1930s, are removable from the inside, allowing firemen to practice rappelling down the façade of the building. The placement of the new windows mimics an earlier wooden training wall which stood near the old fire house on South Main. The composite image below shows the Algeria Shrine before the post-earthquake remodeling, the old training wall, and the new removable Civic Center windows in 1939.

COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Views of the Windows and Interior of the East Tower, November 2012
Photos Courtesy of Sean Logan

The removable windows are accessed by an interior wooden ladder and platform system.

 

Metal Rappelling Rope Anchors Embedded in Concrete Below the East Tower

Ladders, Platforms and Bracing Inside the Tower

 

Platform and Window

 

Removable Window

 

Turnbuckle Cross Bracing Inside the East Tower
The Base of the Onion Dome

 

Firemen Injured

This 1974 incident apparently ended Civic Center window training.

 

1947 Model of the Algeria Shrine

COLLECTION OF THE ALGERIA SHRINE, THANKS TO SHAWN RATCHFORD
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This charming model was built by Mrs. William B. (Elva) Kiefner in 1947. Her dates are 1893-1970. The model, along with a desert diorama, was displayed in 1947 in the window of the Haytin Beauty Parlor, 13 W. Sixth Ave. The model is in the collection of the Algeria Shrine.

COURTESY OF LINDA KINDRICK

The Civic Center Auditorium and Ballroom
Photos by Kathryn Fehlig ~ September 2009

Thanks, Kathy, for the handsome photos!

Fireman's Ball, Civic Center Ballroom, March 17 1936

THE JEZICK FAMILY COLLECTION, COURTESY OF CHUCK JEZICK • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Helena High Junior Prom, Civic Center Ballroom, 1938

COURTESY OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

Teen Dance in the Civic Center Ballroom, 1968

COURTESY OF ROBERT NOEL CLARKSON

Helena Symphony Performs Handel's Messiah
Civic Center Auditorium, Dec. 17 1955

JORUD PHOTO FROM THE BAIRD COLLECTION
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Hill Park and Women's Park

Mine Tailings on the Future Site of Women's Park, 1897

COURTESY OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

 

James J. Hill

IMAGE COLORIZED AND ENHANCED

Land for Hill Park was donated to the City of Helena by James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. In 1914, the eastern half of the park land was upgraded by the Women's Park Association... "The Women's Park Association was organized in April, 1914. Through the efforts of the organization the women's section Hill Park was created, making one of the unsightly sections of the capital city a beauty spot, including a grass lawn, broad walks, beds of beautiful flowers, trees and shrubbery, stone benches, drinking fountains bird fountains and other artistic garden furnishings. The women's work continued on for some years and gave proof of local patriotism and pride in the capital city of the state. And it is a contribution to Helena which will be more and more appreciated. The women of the associaion do not claim all the credit. The men of Helena contributed generousy, as well as the city officers, ever ready to assist whenever called upon or help." Helena Daily Independent, Sept.1 1929

 

Looking West Across Hill Park from Neill Ave., ca. 1918

KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

 

Looking East Across Hill Park, ca. 1920

THE WES AND CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION

A parade is making the turn at Neill Ave. and Fuller. Prominent in the background is the Steamboat Block.

Hill Park from Women's Park, 1920s

COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

The 1916 Confederate Memorial Fountain
Pictured here in 2012

Hill Park from Women's Park, 1941

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

Looking Northeast from Women's Park, circa 1928
Note Pergola in the Right Background

KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION
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Unidentified Woman and Pergola, 1920s

COURTESY OF JANET STELLMON

 

 

Unidentified Young Woman and Pergola, ca. 1917
Colorized and Enhanced Photo

COURTESY OF ANDY LOPEZ

Installed in 1916, the pergola was the gift of Mrs. Chas. C. Perry. It was designed and constructed by Hartman & Sanders, garden furnishers of Chicago. Local tradesmen did the installation. The date of its removal was not found.

 

Pergola Site

 

Pergola, c.1927
Colorized and Enhanced Photo

KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION

 

Looking Northeast from Women's Park, circa 1930

KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION
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Helena High School Band Members in Women's Park, 1957
Colorized and Enchanced Photo

COURTESY OF RAY LINDSEY

1970s view of the Civic Center from Women's Park

 

The Denver Block Arch in Women's Park

Built in 1890-91, the Denver Block (125 Broadway) was a mixed-use building with businesses on the street level and flats above. It was damaged by the 1935 earthquakes, but repaired. The Denver Block was spared demolition during the 1970s Urban Renewal program, but was destroyed by fire on May 26, 1981. Thanks to Norman "Jeff" Holter, the granite arch was saved. It was taken down and reassembled in Women's Park where it stands today...

COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW

 

Memorial Plaques on the Arch

COURTESY OF SEAN LOGAN