Filed Under Helena

17-19 South Rodney Street

Helena Historic District

In September 1887, the Helena Weekly Herald noted "nine first-class brick residences" under construction on South Rodney Street. Among them were three nearly identical duplexes, called Galen Estates after one of the development's principal investors. A trader who first visited the area in 1858, Hugh Galen settled in Helena in 1866. The multifaceted businessman ran a freighting company, operated a stage line, owned several large ranches, served as one-time president of the Capital Lighting Company, and was a director of the Montana National Bank. Simply ornamented with a metal cornice and stained-glass transoms above the front picture windows, this two-story building originally provided rental housing for Helena's elite. In 1890, "capitalist" and large-scale sheep rancher Henry Cannon resided in the north duplex with his wife Emma and their live-in servant. Successful merchant James Wells lived in the south duplex. After Helena's wealthiest citizens migrated to the West Side, the class of tenant changed. By 1933, the duplex had been converted into a four-unit building, which housed the families of a miner, an auditor, a smelter worker, and a Northern Pacific watchman.

Images

17-19 South Rodney Street
17-19 South Rodney Street 17-19 South Rodney Street (PAc 91-51 South Central Helena Roll09 F18). Front view of the building, facing south on South Rodney Street. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Photographer unidentified Date: 1981
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT View looking east, southeast at facade. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: May 2019
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT View looking east at facade. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: May 2019
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT
17-19 South Rodney St., Helena, MT Detail view of front entrances. View looking east. Digital photograph. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong, photographer Date: May 2019

Location

17-19 South Rodney Street, Helena, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “17-19 South Rodney Street,” Historic Montana, accessed March 29, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/680.