Historic Reeder's Alley
Walking Tour
Overview Map
Historic Reeder's Alley Walking Tour Map
Walking Tour
Entrance to Reeder's Alley
Join us on a tour through the early history of Helena’s oldest intact portion of the city, Reeder's Alley. The green icons represent buildings with some special historic significance and the blue icons represent those buildings with special significance to Louis Reeder’s complex. Don’t miss the National Register of Historic Places signs and other markers!
Reeder's Alley was originally known as Cutler Street in Last Chance Gulch and it began as a result of a gold discovery on July 14th, 1864 by a group of men known as the Four Georgians. On October 30th of that year, this area was renamed Helena. Louis Reeder, a brick mason from Buck's County, Pennsylvania invested in the lots along Cutler Street and between 1872 and 1884 built over 30 brick and stone one-room tenements for miners. By the time of his death in 1884, it had become known as Reeder's Alley.
Reeder's Alley
Reeder’s Alley is named for Louis Reeder, a mason from Buck’s County, Pennsylvania. Reeder arrived in Helena in 1867 and one of his beginning projects was the first Lewis and Clark County Courthouse. By 1872 he had saved enough money to start purchasing lots on Cutler Street (The Alley) and started construction on over 30 brick and stone, one-room dwellings with no indoor plumbing which he rented out to miners, a comfortable alternative to lean-to's, tents and cabins.
The simple masonry provided permanence and resistance to fire, a menace that plagued the early community. Sadly, Louis Reeder was fatally injured when he fell off scaffolding while working in 1884 and Cutler Street was renamed to Reeder’s Alley. The Alley stayed in the family until the early 1900’s, after which it continued to be managed as rental property and by the 1950’s was home to many pensioners.
Reeder's Alley has survived the abuse of man and nature, including the great earthquake of 1935. The preservation of Reeder's Alley began in 1961 by the determination of three local women: Pat Boedecker, Eileen Harper and Jane Tobin who started Reeder's Alley Inc. By 1963 most of the units were filled by artists and small shop owners. After several ownership transfers in the 1970's-80's, the Reeder's Alley properties were donated to the State of Montana by Kathy and Darrell Gustin in 2001.
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Pioneer Cabin
The Pioneer Cabin in Helena was built when Wilson Butts, a veteran of the California gold rush, arrived at Last Chance Gulch with the first wave of miners in the summer of 1864 and built a one room cabin, rough-hewn and chinked. His Brother Jonas with wife Louanna and family moved in and expanded the cabin the following spring. When the claim failed to support the family, Louanna's housekeeping skills provided income with miner's gladly paying $2.20 a pound for her butter.
Louanna and Jonas built the front portion of the Pioneer Cabin in 1865. It was two separate cabins while the family lived there. The family of 5 lived in the front cabin and the bachelor brother lived in the rear cabin where the family also did their cooking. The two separate cabins were later connected, probably by the Gilpatricks who were the second residents.
The Gilpatricks occupied the cabin next and planted the locust trees seen in front of it. George Mitchell occupied the cabin from 1903-38 and ran a coal and wood business at the rear. It is the oldest documented dwelling in Helena, and the only documented miner's cabin built during the first months after the Last Chance discovery.
Former Montana First Lady Grace Erickson led the effort in December 1938 of the Last Chance Gulch Restoration Association to purchase the property and restore it as the Pioneer Cabin Museum. The Association owned and maintained the Pioneer and Caretakers Cabins until they gave the property title to the State of Montana in 2005. The Montana Heritage Commission currently manages Reeder's Alley.
Caretaker's Cabin
Cotton-Top Pastries
The Caretakers Cabin was originally built as two cabins in 1865, and was occupied by the Davenports (who lost a child here in 1865) and Parkinson families. When these families moved on to better housing, the Parkinson cabin was eventually torn down to make room for the Alley, and the Davenport cabin structure was built onto, with the culmination of a false front in the early 1890's.
By the mid 1880’s, the house had become a brothel as a result of the town passing an ordinance that required women "of the oldest profession" to not spend their time on Main Street. This created the "red-light" district that was located across from the Chinese neighborhood of Helena which had many laundries, gardens, groceries and pharmacies. The district was eventually shut down in 1917.
Charles and Emma Warren moved into the house as Caretakers of the new Pioneer Cabin Museum in 1939. Although Charles passed in 1947, Emma stayed on till 1958. The last official caretaker, Jan Sinamon who retired in 2001, (along with her husband Don who passed in 1989), is remembered by several generations of Helena schoolchildren as a wonderful tour guide. Michelle and Jim Sobonya operated the Old Miner’s Dining Club here for many years until 2015, and believed the house to be “spiritually charged”, as they experienced several “unexplainable” events that were for the most part benign.
Yee Wau Cabin
Dr. Victoria Homer
Dr. Victoria Homer is a naturopathic physician with over twenty years of experience treating with natural remedies. She accepts patients by appointment only. Phone consults are also available. Her office & home residence is situated in the Yee Wau Cabin. 406-459-6061.
One of the last log cabins in Reeder’s Alley, it is believed the Yee Wau cabin was built around 1870 and was occupied from 1876-86 by the Yee Wau Brothers, Chinese grocers and merchandisers. Today, the cabin remains the only Chinese associated building still standing in Helena. In the 1870’s Chinese residents made up 20 percent of Lewis and Clark county’s population, in large part supporting the miners and the railroad.
Through discrimination and segregation, by 1930 the county only had 87 Chinese residents. It is currently occupied by long-time resident and owner Dr. Victoria Homer, Naturopathic Physician. This is the only private dwelling in Reeder’s Alley and its survival is due to Dr. Homer who raised her children here and still lives under its roof, carefully maintaining the property. Enjoy more of the history of these cabins in ‘Haunted Helena’ by Dr. Ellen Baumler.
Caretaker's Lawn
The Caretaker’s Lawn is a delightful place to relax, enjoy a nice picnic, and enjoy the beauty of Reeder’s Alley. This area is open to the public and is also available to rent for special events by contacting the venue coordinator at reedersalleybooking@gmail.com .
The lovely lawn and landscaping behind the Pioneer Cabin may appear to have historic charm, but the yard’s first uses were far different. The well-kept sweep of grass and tall, old-growth trees are a product of the mid-20th century. During its early history, the property was the Butts family’s mining claim. These first pioneers kept their horses and a cow—brought all the way from Missouri—stabled in the undeveloped back yard which ended in a steep hillside. Other miners followed suit and by 1884, several stables clogged the northside of the alleyway and the pungent smell of horses filled the air. In 1893, the city built the retaining wall created a generous back yard. The wall opened Benton Avenue—previously a dead end—to through traffic for the first time. By 1903, English immigrant George Mitchell had claimed the Pioneer Cabin as his residence. He made his living selling coal, wood, and poultry from the cabin’s treeless back yard where his hen houses, sheds, outhouse, piles of coal, and stacks of wood jumbled together.
Mitchell died in 1938 leaving debris and sheds full of junk covering the back yad. With monumental volunteer effort, the back yard was reborn to a new purpose in 1939. Many of the trees subsequently planted in the yard are memorials to those who loved the cabin and its legacy. Mrs. C. E. Warren, longtime caretaker of the cabin, tended the first flower gardens making the yard a welcome retreat. Now in the shelter of hardy cottonwoods, the yard is a haven for deer and other creatures, and a place where the wild birds sing. Since the 1940s, the yard has witnessed family reunions, anniversaries, afternoon teas, and evening lectures. Many a young couple has exchanged their vows beneath the sheltering cottonwoods. And generations of neighborhood children have played beneath the sturdy wall. Little wonder that some claim to hear their laughter on the wind.
The landscaping at the front of the cabin represents an important milestone in regional horticulture. The cabin’s second resident, Luella Fergus Gilpatrick, planted and nurtured two locust seedlings, brought in tin cans by covered wagon sometime between 1867 and 1870. Miners had completely denuded the countryside and there was not a bush or tree in Helena. Not only were the trees an early attempt at landscaping, but they were also the first non-native trees planted in Montana. They were reportedly the parent trees of all the locust trees in this region and survived until the 1980s. The two gigantic stumps remain, one on either side of the central pathway. One of the trees’ offspring still shades the Pioneer Cabin’s northeast corner.
The young pear tree in front of the Caretaker’s House also has a history. It came from a cutting of a tree brought by Helena pioneers in a covered wagon. The historic parent tree still survives in a Helena yard. Its offspring, here at the foot of Reeder’s Alley, bears delicious fruit.
Visit Helena Montana
Welcome to the Visit Helena Montana Visitor Center here in Reeder’s Alley. If you have questions about the Alley or other places to see and experience the history of Helena, this is the first stop! This office is also home to the Helena Tourism Alliance and Bike Helena, so if you are in need of information about other places to explore in Montana, we can help! Contact the Visitor Center at 406-449-2107 for information about Reeder’s Alley, including guided and non-guided tours. Website - Facebook - Email - 406-449-2107
Dundee's Barber Shop
Current owner Ms. Dundee Warden has been a lady barber for 35 years and in this location for 20 years.
As with most of the businesses located in these brick buildings built by Louis Reeder, this location has a history of tenants dating back to the mid 1870’s. Many of the original tenants were miners and other single men through the early 1900’s and then through the 1940’s-50’s were home to pensioners. When acquired by Reeder’s Alley Inc. in the early 60’s, many of the apartments became artist studios and galleries, antique shops, gift shops and country stores.
History Takes Time
This location was also once home to Reeder’s Alley gardener and caretaker Stark Evans, a resident and spokesman for tenants in the Alley. Mr. Evans is described as a “huge” Crow Indian resident of the Alley, who was employed by the women of Reeder’s Alley Inc. to act as a watchman soon after they acquired the property. “He was loyal, almost to a fault. He even shot at Jane and Pat’s husbands one night, believing they were trespassing!”
Clearman Counseling & Mental Health Services
A mental health services office operated by Theresa Clearman. 406-412-6451
Cygnet Strategies
Cygnet Strategies founder and owner Vicky Soderberg works with communities and destinations to assess their strengths and challenges in order to create realistic, sustainable solutions for improving quality of life, enhancing visitor experiences, and building a richer, more resilient tourism product. She chose Reeder’s Alley for her business because of its atmosphere, history and its close relationship to what her business represents. Website - Facebook - Email - 406-227-1213
Merlin CCC - A Public Philosophy Non-Profit
Their programs are free to the public and support critical, creative thinking, the exchange of ideas, and the application of philosophy to everyday life. More broadly, they are opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ages (from children to elders) to gather, to learn from and with one another, and to uniquely cultivate their personal and civic selves.
Pavilion
The Pavilion is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Reeder’s Alley. Overlooking a green space and the Alley, this area is open to the public. Take time to enjoy a lunch or just a break, this area is also available to rent for special events by contacting the venue coordinator at reedersalleybooking@gmail.com .
Reeder's Alley Interpretive and Convention Center
Reeder's Alley Interpretive and Convention Center. Website .
Reeder’s Alley Interpretive and Convention Center features a small entrance gallery with historical panels and a streaming video about Reeder’s Alley history. The adjacent meeting room is excellent for small to medium size groups (under 50) and is equipped with modern media devices for presentations and communications. For venue rental information, visit our Convention Center page . This is the home of the Helena offices of the Montana Heritage Commission, responsible for the management of Reeder’s Alley, including the Pioneer and Caretakers Cabins.
The Montana Heritage Commission preserves and manages historic resources in Virginia City, Nevada City and Reeder’s Alley and promotes the appreciation of history through quality visitor experiences. Their Vision is to be leaders for cultural heritage tourism, and share authentic Montana history with every visitor. Their Purpose is to serve as stewards in managing, developing, and operating Heritage Commission properties by preserving, stabilizing, rehabilitating, interpreting and exhibiting buildings and artifacts; overseeing and encouraging profitable commercial enterprises while creating and maintaining credible relationships with all stakeholders and partners, and protecting these historic resources for the educational benefit and enjoyment of all. Strategic Priorities include Preservation, Sustainability, Promotion, Experience, Partnership, and Management.
The Stone House
The original Stone House building is located where the Reeder’s Alley Interpretive & Convention Center building is currently situated.
The Stone House is a mystery as to its exact origin, yet has a rich history here in Reeder’s Alley. While it is known that it did not exist before the gold discovery in 1864, it is known to have been present by the time Louis Reeder started the brickwork in Reeder’s Alley in 1872. The original builder is not known, but is a great example of the “stone” architecture that is seen in several residences in the Helena area. It was known as the Reed Matthews House in the 1910’s when George and Laura Duchesnay, emigrants from France, moved into the one of the four apartments in the building. While George collected rents from people in the Alley and worked for the Montana Power Company, it was Laura who lent a special quality to Reeder’s Alley. She had a quiet manner with wild creatures, especially birds. Her greatest love was for the beautiful yellow canaries that filled the apartment. She raised and sold many of them until her death in 1933 and George lived until 1940.
There are many stories in regard to Laura and her canaries, one of which involves the Stone House being used during Prohibition. Legend has it that the sheriff used to make moonshine in the hills not far from here and would bring it down to hide under the floorboards. People knew when the shipment was in and liquor for sale when Laura would hang her canaries in their cages outside the apartments at the Stone House. There are many stories about people still hearing the sweet songs of the canaries even today.
When Pat Boedecker, Eileen Harper and Jane Tobin bought the property in 1961, their intent was to preserve this portion of Helena's history. They converted the apartments into a restaurant and it remained that way for much of the late 20th century until restoration efforts and conversion to the Interpretive Center in 2008. While removing a section of the flooring for computer wiring, two stone lined rooms were found, complete with a homemade ladder for entry (it is thought this may be where liquor was stored). These can be seen today in the same spot through a glass floor in the center. Interestingly, the original stone house was separated from another stone building that sits up the hill from it. From the alley you can see a small stone building with a single doorway and window. Originally it was a two story building and the top crumbled in the Great Earthquake that occurred here in Helena in 1935. The bottom floor was salvaged and the two buildings were connected by the wooden structure that is now home to the Montana Preservation Alliance in 2008.
Top Sign & Graphics
With over 15 years of experience in the sign business, we provide services in all areas of graphic design. Our front door services include graphic design production, installation & maintenance, and computer-generated previews. We specialize in many services, but more specifically, we specialize in custom airbrushing, routered vinyl and sandblasted signs. We are here to meet all of your graphic design and sign needs.
Morelli Bridge
Historic maps show that the area above Reeder’s Alley was long undeveloped and virtually inaccessible. The city gave in to local pressure in the early 1890’s and began construction of this bridge, first known as the Howie Street Bridge. Cost of the work exceeded funds however, and the bridge remained unfinished. When the Silver Panic of 1893 halted most building projects across the state, city commissioners recognized that completing the bridge project could provide much needed jobs.
They resumed construction, putting a significant number of local laborers back to work. Finished late in 1893, the four span timber bridge allowed residential development of the area and provided a bypass around the congested, industrial south end of Last Chance Gulch. The Jacob Adami quarry on Mount Helena supplied the stone and Swiss stonemason Carlo Morelli constructed the impressive bents, or supports, that make the bridge unusual prompting locals to rename the bridge after Morelli, whose home was nearby. Although the city replaced the timber deck in the 1980’s, the Morelli Bridge is the oldest timber bridge still in use in Montana.
Four Georgians Mine
The placer mining by the Four Georgians occurred in Last Chance Gulch below the site of Reeder's Alley. The structure at this site is a replica of a claim shack and not typically employed in placer mining.
The Four Georgians Mine is the result of two prospect pits that were dug on July 14th, 1864 in Last Chance Gulch by John Cowan and John Crab of Georgia, J.D. (D.J.?) Miller of Iowa, and Robert (Reginald) Stanley of London, England. They were to become known as the “Four Georgians”. The Last Chance Placer is one of the most famous placer grounds in the western United States and the bulk of production occurred prior to 1868. John Cowan built the first of five cabins which comprised the fledgling camp in early October of 1864. In a contest between the names Helena and Tomah, Helena won by two votes.
The population continued to grow and 1000 souls lived in Helena in March of 1865, but by mid-summer that figure had tripled. The completion of the Chessman and Cowan Ditch in 1865 allowed the gold to be sluiced at an even faster rate. The end of the Civil War and the continued success of the mines combined to set off yet another stampede from the eastern states in 1866. By 1867, at the height of the bonanza period, the town held as many as 4,100 to 7,500 people, mostly men between the ages of 25 and 40. As the paying gravels in Last Chance Gulch were taken up, miners fanned out and began working Grizzly, Orofino and Dry Gulches, but none of these could match the incredible riches of Last Chance Gulch. The Four Georgians sold out in 1867 and it was said that a heavy wagon had to be used to haul their gold dust back to civilization.
By 1868, only four years after the discovery, nearly all the sluices were gone from Last Chance Gulch and a city stood on the played-out placers. In 1869 the few remaining placers in the gulch were worked by the Chinese. Although several different tallies were made of the total amount of gold produced between 1883 ($10 million) and 1913 ($35 million), a more moderate figure of $7 million is credited to the Last Chance Gulch gold discovery.
The town site of Helena was surveyed in 1865 by Captain John Wood. Streets followed the chaotic paths of the early miners, wound around claims and followed the tortured and distorted streambed. The town was kept in a constant state of rebuilding by a series of devastating fires: April 1869, November 1869, October 1871, August 1872 and January 1874. These fires left a legacy of stone and brick fireproof buildings in the gulch.
Groundskeeper's Lodging
This building serves a private residence for the alley groundskeeper.
Albers Law Criminal Defense
Website - 406-781-5214
Albers Law specializes in the areas of DUI, Assault Offenses, Sexual Offenses, Drug Crimes, Theft Charges, Traffic Offenses and cases involving Child Protective Services. From initial consultation to final resolution, Scott A. Albers is here to help you.
Western Environmental Law Center
The Western Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to defend and protect the American West’s treasured landscapes, iconic wildlife, and rural communities. We combine our legal skills with sound conservation biology and environmental science to address major environmental issues in the West in the most strategic and effective manner. We work at the national, regional, state, and local levels; and in all three branches of government. We integrate national policies and regional perspective with the local knowledge of our 100+ partner groups to implement smart and appropriate place-based actions.
And more victories are on the way. At WELC, we work every day to ensure those who would harm our public lands, our drinking water, wildlife, and communities are held accountable to the law of the land. Without watchdogs like ourselves and our partners, the laws meant to protect our values would be powerless. As we face climate change, our fight toward more resilient natural systems and communities is more important than ever.
WELC has a highly experienced team of attorneys, conservation biologists, and Western policy experts. We work close to the ground, with offices in Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, and Washington. As a public interest law firm, WELC does not charge clients and partners for services, but relies instead on charitable gifts from individuals, families, and foundations to accomplish our mission.
Saigon Alley
Another of Louis Reeder’s stone and brick structures, this building has been home to miners and businesses over the years.
Saigon Alley started as a food truck by Rachel Conn in the summer of 2017. Rachel decided to create a menu based on Southeast Asian cuisine because she loves the flavors and combinations of fresh ingredients and aromatics. Even though we are in Montana, we have access to many of the fresh, local ingredients that make these recipes beautiful & Saigon Alley has tried to stay true to traditional recipes, while still using local ingredients and having a little of their own fun along the way.
In Late 2020 they moved to their current location at 139 Reeder's Alley. This historic site has one of the best decks in Helena, and is a great addition to any Mt. Helena trail adventures. Just stop on by for some great food and a tasty wine, beer or mocktail after you get off the trails.
Credits
This walking tour is maintained by the Montana Department of Commerce.
Special Thanks to Dr. Ellen Baumler, Montana Historical Society Interpretive Historian for her extensive research, advice and assistance throughout.
The Montana Department of Commerce wishes to acknowledge the following for contributions in making this Storybook Journal possible:
Dr. Ellen Baumler and the Montana Historical Society for "Haunted Helena", "Beyond Spirit Tailings", and "We Are Learning to Do These Things Better" in Montana: The Magazine of Western History Autumn 2014, all written by Ellen Baumler.
Montana Historical Society - mhs.mt.gov
"Reeder's Alley - History, Housewives and Art" by Pat Boedecker.
Historical photo credits:
Pioneer Cabin, Caretakers Cabin and Woodlot - Courtesy of the Jezick Family and Sean Logan.
Stark Evans, Stonehouse and Jane Tobin, Eileen Harper and Pat Boedecker all Courtesy of Pat Boedecker.
1890 Reeder's Alley - HelenaHistory.org
Four Georgians - ReginaldStanley.com
Reeder's Alley from the Top - PreserveMontana.org
All other photos supplied by the Montana Department of Commerce.
