Lewis
& Clark County Courthouse
1887 - Today
The 1867 County Courthouse/ Territorial Capitol, ca.1884
1875 County Jail in the Background
JACOBY LOWNEY IMAGES • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
Two
Lewis & Clark County Courthouses, 1887
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OF CONGRESS
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This view
is looking south-east. The small building was the 1867 County
Courthouse, which was replaced by the large new turreted one
in 1887. For a time, the new building housed all territorial
(later state) and county offices.
The 1867 courthouse was demolished soon after this photo was taken. Stone from the old building was used in the low wall that borders the grounds today. The
handsome clock tower was damaged in the 1935 earthquakes, taken
down and not rebuilt.
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National
Register of Historic Places Sign Text
Lewis
and Clark County Courthouse (228 Broadway)
Much Montana history unfolded within this magnificent
landmark, which served as both territorial capitol (1887-1888)
and state capitol (1889-1902). Here in 1889 officials received
word of statehood, and three hours later J. K. Toole was sworn
in as Montana’s first governor.
St. Paul architects Hodgson and Stem drew heavily upon the Romanesque
Revival style as influenced by H. H. Richardson, creating a
masterpiece that rivaled eastern counterparts. The well-laid
granite walls boast exceptionally fine Bayfield brownstone trim
from Wisconsin (the same brownstone of New York’s Fifth
Avenue fame) and the interior appointments are also extraordinary.
The building’s splendid Norman clock tower presided over
Helena until 1935, when earthquakes humbled its grandeur. The
tower, fourth-story gables, and a heavy stone cornice, adornments
of little use during the Depression era, were not replaced.
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Under Construction, 1886
THE COLLEEN KESTERSON FAMILY COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
1889
Magazine Illustration
It
also housed territorial offices at that time.
Courthouse
Plaque, North Side, 2013
PHOTO
BY
KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION
IN A NEW WINDOW
Spelling of "Lewis and Clarke" County Changed in 1905
The Courthouse Area, ca.1890
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This
beautiful photograph is from Jeff Sherlock, who writes:
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"This
photo shows the Presbyterian Church (1875-1890) at the
corner of 5th and Ewing; this area is currently the County
Courthouse parking lot. In the background we see the just-
completed courthouse and jail. This photo must have been
taken from roof of the Chessman apts., in 1889 or 1890.
"Just
over the right edge of the courthouse roof is the steeple
of the old Methodist Church on Broadway."
Also,
in the far left background, is the Lissner Elementary
School, on the corner of South Warren and Pine.
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Thanks,
Jeff!
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Stereo View
Looking North from S. Ewing St., circa 1900
COURTESY OF THE JAMES NUSS COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Looking North from S. Ewing St., early 1900s
Unidentified Young Woman
KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION
Old
Postcard Views of the Courthouse
The
granite turret of the Lewis & Clark County Jail can be seen on the
left.
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
| County Court
House, looking SE, ca. 1915. Note the large radio antenna extending
from the clock tower. |
Souvenir China, ca 1910
Courthouse
and Grounds, circa 1904
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG
VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Courthouse Bell, 1901
COLLECTION
OF CHAS. J TIPTON • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
| Buchanan "Buck" Dillard (1857-1942) was the custodian at the Courthouse in 1901. Charles J. Tipton (1876-1961) was a long-time printer for the Herald and Independent newspapers. |
An Attractive Rider on Ewing Street, Date Unknown
COURTESY
OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE
FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Lewis & Clark County Courthouse, ca. 1900
COLLECTION
OF CHAS. J TIPTON • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IN A NEW WINDOW
Lewis & Clark County Courthouse, 1920s
COURTESY
OF THE JEZICK FAMILY, VIA SEAN LOGAN • CLICK
ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Earthquake
Damage and Repairs, 1935
View
from the Southwest, Showing Damaged Stonework
COURTESY
OF THE SEAN LOGAN COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE
FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Removal of the Clock Tower Underway
COURTESY
OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE
FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
COURTESY
OF THE DAVID POOR COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE
FOR A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Independent
Record Columnist Al Gaskill Writes About the Clock, 1964
South Side,
Lewis & Clark County Courthouse, 1960s
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OF CONGRESS
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