1862History
Gold strikes in Idaho Territory in the early 1860s attracted many migrants who initiated major gold rushes at Grasshopper Creek (Bannack) and Alder Gulch (Virginia City) in 1862...
1864Government
Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush, and established on October 30, 1864.
1865History
Helena was surveyed by Captain John Wood in 1865 for the first time.
1868History
Most of the production occurred before 1868.
1869History
Washburn, having been appointed Surveyor General of Montana in 1869, organized the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition in Helena to explore the regions that would become Yellowst...
1872Architecture
He invested in the lots along then Cutler Street (now known as Reeder's Alley) and between 1872 and 1884 built over 30 brick and stone one-room tenements for miners.
1874Architecture
Among the well-known local madams was Josephine "Chicago Joe" Airey, who built a thriving business empire between 1874 and 1893, becoming one of Helena's largest and most influe...
1875Government
Helena has been the capital of Montana Territory since 1875 and the state of Montana since 1889.
1876History
In 1876, Thomas Cruse, a prospector of Irish descent, discovered a massive gold deposit in the mountains, northwest of Helena.
1882Sports
While the name "Helena" won, the pronunciation varied until approximately 1882 when the HEL-i-nə pronunciation became dominant.
1886Disaster
Helena's official symbol is a drawing of "The Guardian of the Gulch", a wooden fire watch tower built in 1886.
1888Economy
Due to the gold rush, Helena became a wealthy city, with approximately 50 millionaires inhabiting the area by 1888.
1889Architecture
In 1889, railroad magnate Charles Arthur Broadwater opened his Hotel Broadwater and Natatorium west of Helena.
1892Government
Referendums were held in 1892 and 1894 to determine the state's capital; the result was to keep the capitol in Helena.
1900History
Until the 1900 census, Helena was the most populous city in the state.
1902Architecture
In 1902, the Montana State Capitol was completed.
1909Education
== Education ==
=== Higher education ===
Carroll College, a Catholic liberal arts college, which opened in 1909, enrolls around 1,500 students.
1916Military
In 1916, the United Daughters of the Confederacy commissioned the construction of the Confederate Memorial Fountain in Hill Park.
1935Disaster
Damaged in the 1935 Helena earthquake, it closed in 1941.
1952Government
The Archie Bray Foundation, a ceramics center founded in 1952, is just northwest of Helena, near Spring Meadow Lake.
1969History
The hottest temperature recorded in Helena was 105 °F (41 °C) on August 24, 1969, and July 15, 2002, while the coldest temperature recorded was −42 °F (−41 °C) on January 31, 18...
1973Culture
Helena's brothels were a successful part of the local business community well into the 20th century, ending with the 1973 death of Helena's last madam, "Big Dorothy" Baker.
1976Architecture
The property's many buildings were demolished in 1976.
1984History
Thus, the East Helena site was officially listed in June 1984 and continues to undergo regular remediation and monitoring activities in coordination with the United States Geolo...
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,780 people, 11,541 households, and 6,474 families residing in the city.
2010History
== Demographics ==
=== 2010 census ===
As of the census of 2010, there were 28,190 people, 12,780 households, and 6,691 families residing in the city.
2013History
It was officially designated as an International Mountain Bicycling Association bronze level Ride Center on October 23, 2013.
2016Architecture
On August 2, 2016, an arson attack severely damaged the tower and it was deemed structurally unstable.
2017History
The fountain was removed on August 18, 2017, after the Helena City Commission deemed it a threat to public safety following a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
2021Education
There were 5,181 students enrolled in the district during the 2021–2022 school year.