Holiday Motel and Jorgenson's Holiday Inn
1714 11th Avenue

The Holiday Motel was opened in June of 1954 by Eugene Billerbeck. It was the first two-story motel in Helena (three stories, counting the basement parking area). Bennett Logan of Helena was general contractor. Several additions were added to the motel over the years. The original coral-colored buildings of the Holiday Motel are gone, but the enterprise lives on as a Best Western Hotel.

 

On the map...

Under Construction, early 1954
Open House, June 20, 1954

Photos Courtesy Of Greg Logan
Grandson of Contractor Bennett P. Logan (1912-1986)

To Open a Gallery of Larger Photos, Click on the Photo Below


HAZEL LOGAN & ROBERT BENNETT LOGAN

Open House, June 20, 1954

EUGENE & THELMA BILLERBECK

EUGENE & THELMA BILLERBECK

CONTRACTOR BENNETT LOGAN (L) AND EUGENE BILLERBECK

BENNETT LOGAN IN SUIT

Early Postcard Views of the Holiday Motel

The attractive sign beside 11th Avenue had rows of chasing lights on the yellow arc, which would run up, over and down into the "Holiday", ending in a colorful neon splash. It was made by Bradley Signs.

COURTESY OF TOM MULVANEY • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

Holiday Motel Originally Painted to Match a '54 Ford Skyliner
From Ford Times, August 1955


COLLECTION OF KENNON BAIRD

 

Original Furnishings of Tropical Design
Heywood-Wakefield "Ashcraft"

The Holiday Motel was originally furnished in Heywood-Wakefield's faux-rattan "Ashcraft" design.

 

Interior Room View

KENNON BAIRD COLLECTION • CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLRAGE IN A NEW WINDOW

 

Circa 1960 Aerial View
Includes the 1958 Jorgenson's Restaurant

COURTESY OF TOM MULVANEY • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

 

1961 Ad

 

Jorgenson's Holday Inn Restaurant

Jorgenson's Holiday Inn Restaurant opened in 1958. In 1964, an addition was built on the south side, where the planters are in this postcard view, for the Viking Room lounge. As of 2025, the restaurant is still in business as the Crooked Frog.

Jorgenson's Holday Inn Restaurant, ca. 1958

THE WES & CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION

Short-lived Purchase by Sentry Motel Group, 1962

In 1962, the Holday Motel was purchased from Gene Billerbeck by the Sentry Motel Group, and plans were made for an expansion. A new addition was built, but there were financial and legal problems. In December of 1963, Gene Billerbeck and several others bought back the motel. The original buildings of the Holiday Motel are gone, but the enterprise lives on as a Ramada by Wyndham.

Jorgenson's Restaurant and Viking Lounge, 1980s

THE WES & CAROL SYNNESS COLLECTION