Helena History

We've had some fun adventures here in our town of Helena, Montana. I grew up here and have an obvious love for it, but it is really fun to share it with my California Boy husband and my children.

We started in the month of May by going to the Vigilante Parade. It's a high school parade here in town that was started in 1924 to keep students from other "traditions" like a senior-junior fight and other pranks. It's mostly historical floats about area history. There's also classic cars, the high school bands, and riders on horses dressed up like cowboys and Native Americans (which some actually are, of course) among other things. It's fun to see what the students come up with every year and it's a fun tradition that me and my siblings, and parents, and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins have all participated in.

We weren't going to go, but suddenly made a last minute decision to and we caught the tail end of the parade. It was still worth it. The kids enjoyed it and it was just the right amount of time to be there for our little family.

The boys in their coonskin caps and Samantha in her cowgirl hat and braids.

Watching the floats go by

A float about the Wickes Mine which is not too far from my parents' house now

Daddy and Luke with the Civic Center tower in the background. (The building used to be a Shrine temple and used to have two towers before a 1935 earthquake.)

Our four cute kiddoes

Mommy and Rebecca


On the 30th of May we went to a History Fair on the walking mall in historic downtown Helena. There were lots of booths set up with demonstrations like panning for gold and blacksmithing. Many people were dressed up in old fashioned clothing and there were tons of things to look at and feel and try out. The kids had fun and we got some cute pictures.

Sitting on the trolley

"Mr. and Mrs. Dunphy" They said they'd just come over from the local cemetery and were telling the crowd all about their lives before and during their time in Helena. The building behind them is named after Mr. Dunphy. That's about all I heard...

Logan and Samantha next to a Civil War cannon. The men in the background were dressed Civil War uniforms too.

I just had to snap a picture of one of my favorite places in the world. The Parrot Confectionery has been around since 1922 and in this location since the 30's. It was the 1950's local teen place to be. The look of it inside never seems to change. They have really fabulous hand-dipped chocolates and a homemade chili that is so yummy. It's a place I always planned to bring the man I was going to marry to. Thankfully Ross loves it too! My dream would be to do more research on this place and put it in a book or something.

(Side note: My mom and aunt worked as teenagers in Rogene's, a fancy dress shop next to the Parrot, and said the town madame "Big Dorothy" used to come in with her girls and a huge roll of cash. Interesting, but sad to think where that money came from!)


My sweet girl being the angel she always is.

The kids wanted to meet every dog they saw, but this dog, named Lad, was part of a booth and the lady was very nice to let my children pet him.

Not sure what to call this other than the "Prospector's Fountain". Its made out of metal and has been around for as long as I can remember (but that probably means only since the 70's). I used to play on it when we waited for my mom to pick us up from watching summer movies at the nearby theater. I wasn't that giving to my kids. I made them stay away from the little pool that the water flows into. Great fountain though.


On the 9th of June we went to Smith School and watched Samantha in her end-of-school talent show. We didn't feel like going back home when it was over so I called Ross to find out where he was. He and my brother Ryan were up on the hill behind Raleigh Street here in Helena working on a survey, so we decided to go and visit! It was lots of fun to climb up above the town even though I was in a pair of chunky-heeled sandals. I had my camera with me because of the talent show and Ry was so excited because he'd been enjoying the view and wishing for pictures. Lucky! (Another historical side note for those that don't know: :o) Legendary actor Gary Cooper lived on Raleigh Street for part of his childhood!)

Ross hard at work at the total station sighting in Ryan at the rod. And Rebecca being good even when she's sitting in the weeds.

Cocking her head and looking cute!

The Sleeping Giant Mountain north of Helena. I LOVE THAT MOUNTAIN!

Sunlight hitting the Helena Cathedral just right

Here's the hill we climbed. Ryan has Luke on his shoulders and Logan next to him. Ross is the little short thing on top of the hill. This is actually looking up from State Street.

My little "Rodmen" Luke and Logan


Here's a silly little video I took from the top of the hill