Filed Under Helena

Fifth Avenue Apartment House

Helena Historic District

Entrepreneur T. H. Kleinschmidt was the original owner of this early Italianate style dwelling, built as investment property circa 1884. Kleinschmidt, three times elected mayor of Helena, had diverse local business interests including utilities, livestock, and real estate. This residence was fashionably situated across the street from Courthouse Square, the center of territorial and early state government. The Kleinschmidts, along with their servant and coachman, were in residence here during the early 1890s while their eastside mansion was under construction. Tenants who took in roomers and boarders in the early 1900s included Helena Drug Company proprietor Eugene Meyer and the Piercy family. The single-family dwelling was converted to apartments after 1920. Stucco added over the brick exterior in 1927 slightly changed its look, but the historic residence retains many original features including arched windows, a low hip roof, bay windows, and an asymmetrical facade.

Images

Fifth Avenue Apartment House
Fifth Avenue Apartment House Fifth Avenue Apartment House (PAc 91-51 South Central Helena Roll15 F17). Front to side view of the building, facing north to northeast on 5th Avenue. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Photographer unidentified Date: 1981
Fifth Avenue Apartment House
Fifth Avenue Apartment House Fifth Avenue Apartment House (PAc 91-51 South Central Helena Roll15 F18). Front view of the building, facing northeast on 5th Avenue. B&W. Source: Montana State Historic Preservation Office from the Photograph Archives at the Montana Historical Society Creator: Photographer unidentified Date: 1981
Fifth Avenue Apartment House
Fifth Avenue Apartment House Fifth Avenue Apartment House. Front to side view of the building, facing north on 5th Avenue. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: Sept. 2020
Fifth Avenue Apartment House
Fifth Avenue Apartment House Fifth Avenue Apartment House. Close view of the front entry of the building, facing north on 5th Avenue. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: Sept. 2020
Fifth Avenue Apartment House
Fifth Avenue Apartment House Fifth Avenue Apartment House. Front to side view of the building, facing north to northeast on 5th Avenue. Source: Montana Historical Society Creator: Joe Furshong Date: Sept. 2020

Location

314 5th Avenue, Helena, Montana | Private

Metadata

The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Fifth Avenue Apartment House,” Historic Montana, accessed April 19, 2024, https://historicmt.org/items/show/703.