The California gold rush attracted many
migrants, with some passing through this area. They cast around for new areas
to mine. On July 14, 1864, the discovery of gold in a gulch led to the
founding of the city here. Its main street is named Last Chance Gulch and lies close to the winding path of the
original gulch. The historic downtown district developed around it.
By 1888, about 50 millionaires lived in
Helena, more per capita than in any city in the world. They had made their
fortunes from gold. About $3.6 billion (in today's dollars) of gold was taken
from Last Chance Gulch over a 20-year period. The Last Chance Placer is one of
the most famous in the western United States. Most of the production occurred
before 1868. Much of the placer is now under the streets and buildings of
Helena. (As late as the 1970s, when repairs were being made to a bank, a vein
of placer gold was found under the bank's foundation).
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| Capital Building |
Helena has a long record of economic stability with
its history founded in an area rich in silver and lead deposits. Its status as
capital in 1894 makes it a major hub of activity at the county, state, and
federal level while its mining history has continued with mineral processing
plants located around the city.
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| Shops and restaurants |
There is a very attractive area at the site of Last Chance Gulch with shops and restaurants. A great variety of architectural styles are in the downtown buildings.We saw a
very interesting building. At the building corners on the second floor were two windows,
the third floor had three, the fourth floor four, and you guessed it, the fifth
floor had five.
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| Count the Windows on each floor corner |
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| Gold Panning |
There
are statues depicting panning for gold and another of a bullwhacker.
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| Bullwacker |
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