Sixth and Main, The Goodkind Building, 1885


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

The Goodkind Building was built in 1884, and still stands on the southeast corner of Sixth and Main. It is the oldest standing commercial building north of Broadway. The wooden false-front structure on the right is the office of Ed Ragen's Livery. The Power Block was built on the site of the livery in 1889.

Looking South from Sixth and Main, ca. 1900

The intersection of Sixth and Main was the traditional "center" of downtown Helena for many decades. It should be noted that until about 1891, what is now West Sixth Avenue (from Main west to Park Avenue), was named Price Street. Around the turn of the 20th Century, a fantastic decorative archway was erected over the intersection for Fourth of July festivities. In 1969, a 40-foot high Christmas tree was placed in the middle of the busy intersection; the results of the tree placement were not so good.

Fourth of July Parades, 1907 & 1908
Photos Courtesy of the Jezick Family (via Sean Logan), and the David Poor Collection

Arch over Sixth and Main, 1907

COURTESY OF THE JEZICK COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

Grand Army of the Republic Veterans on West Sixth Avenue, 1907

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

 

1908

COURTESY OF THE JEZICK COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

1908

COURTESY OF THE JEZICK COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

1908

COURTESY OF THE JEZICK COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

1908

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

 

Sixth Ave. at Main, looking west, 1920s

The building on the right, the 1883 Ashby Block, was built by Col. C. A. Broadwater and Shirley Ashby. It was demolished in 1929 to make way for the First National Bank building.

The Ashby Block, 1905
Photograph by Edward Reinig

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

 

Looking South from Above Sixth Ave., 1917

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

Demolition of the Ashby Block, 1929

Sixth Ave. looking west from Main St., 1930s

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

You may wonder, "Where all the parking meters?" They were not installed in Helena until January of 1946. In 1956, Independent Record reported that 400 lbs. of "slugs, washers, bus tokens, trade checks and electrical box knockouts" had been recovered from the meters.

 

 

Sixth & Main, July 19-21 1939


COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

In the Big View of this photo, one can see, in the distance, the arrow sign overhanging Main Street, pointing west toward the Marlow Theatre on Edwards Street. It reads "Susannah of the Mounties", a Shirley Temple movie that played at the Marlow July 19-21 1939.

 

 

Sixth & Main, Armistice Day Parade, Nov. 11 1939

COURTESY OF THE RAY and PHIL JEZICK COLLECTION & THE HELENA FIRE DEPARTMENT
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

West Sixth Ave. from Main, Early 1960s

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Sixth and Main, Looking South from the 300 Block of Main, ca. 1951

COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD • CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

Sixth Ave., Looking East from Main, ca. 1958 • Interactive Image
Followed by a 2006 View


COURTESY OF DARCY O'DELL • INTERACTIVE IMAGE

Sixth Avenue in full swing, taken from atop the Power Building, probably 1958 (note the billboard for the new Ford Edsel). Pass your cursor over buildings in the photo for more information.

Sixth Ave., Looking East from Main, 2006

COURTESY OF KEITH NAY

Thanks, Keith, for this great comparison view!

Sixth and Main from the Roof of the Electric Block, Ca. 1974

COURTESY OF ROBIN EVANS

Christmas Tree Fiasco, 1969

 

 

 

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