State Capitols – Helena, Montana – Part 1

Montana Capitol in Helena (17 June 2014)

State Population (2010): 989,415 (44th) 

Constructed: 1899-1902

Architects: Charles Emlen Bell

State Admitted to Union: November 8, 1889 (41st)

Helena, Montana
June 16-17, 2014

Much of the first day was spent driving east from Idaho, across the Continental Divide toward Helena. This is the place in North America where two major drainage basins divide. From here, runoff heads west into the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean or it flows east down the Missouri River to the Gulf. Our crack Images and More Research Department revealed that Montana is one of three states with a Triple Divide. Surface water in the northern-most part of the state eventually flows into Hudson Bay. The other two states with triple divides are Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Montana Capitol, Helena (16 June 2014) 

This is the second floor of the capitol. Side galleries lead to offices 

of the Secretary of State (to the right) and the Governor (to the left). 

In the center is the Grand Staircase and recently-restored barrel vault. 

This image is a composite of ten photos. 

Part of the time in the high country, we drove through a brisk snowfall. Once away from the snow, it rained the rest of the way to the capitol. I must note that for the 48 state houses I have visited on this quest, this is only the second time it rained.

I arrived after the last tour was run but I was free to wander around. Like at the Boise capitol, there were no security checks, metal screenings, etc. I was free to walk through the ‘People’s House,’ but the ground floor entrances to the legislative chambers were locked.

Unlike many capitol domes, Montana’s dome is copper...fitting for this copper mining state. The equestrian statue in front of the building is of Thomas Meagher. Born in Ireland, he was a leader in the rebellion of 1848 and sentenced to prison in Australia. He escaped and made his way to the U.S. Here he was a Union officer in the Civil War and served as acting governor of the Montana Territory before dying at age 43 under mysterious circumstances. He was on a Missouri River steam boat, then he wasn’t. His body was never recovered and theories range from accident to suicide to murder.

Montana Capitol, Helena (17 June 2014)

Much of present-day Montana (east of the Continental Divide) was acquired in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The current state lands were part of Oregon Country and a total of seven other territories before Montana gained its own territorial designation in 1864. It became a state twenty-five years later. Presidential Trivia Alert: In his single term in office, President Benjamin Harrison (1889-93) admitted more states to the Union (six) than any other president.

Montana is the fourth largest state by area, but ranks 42nd of the 50 states in population. Grain farming, ranching and natural resource extraction are the main economic drivers in the state, with tourism gaining in importance.

Montana Capitol, Helena (16 June 2014) 

Virginia City was the territorial capital but by 1888, Helena, at the time with more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world, became the center of government. Funny how money and power always seem to go together. Only four state capital cities (VT, SD, ME, KY) have fewer people than Helena’s 28,000 residents.

Shortly after the capitol building was completed, the need for space for the growing government was apparent and annexes were added to the east and west sides of the building.

Statue of Jeannette Rankin [1980] 

Montana Capitol, Helena (16 June 2014) 

There are three prominent statues of Montana leaders inside the capitol. Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress (1916). A noted women’s suffrage advocate and pacifist, she is remembered as one of 50 representatives to vote against entering World War I and the ONLY member of Congress to oppose entry into World War II. This statue is a replica of one in Statuary Hall in the nation’s capitol. 

Grand Staircase, Montana Capitol, Helena (16 June 2014) 

Note the art glass barrel vault above the mural and the Grand Staircase. It was original to the building but was dismantled and sold during renovations in the 1960’s. By 2000, the glass was reacquired and reinstalled over the stairway.

Rotunda, Montana Capitol, Helena (16 June 2014) 

I returned the next day to learn more from an informative tour guide. I’ll save the legislative chambers and other interior features for a separate post since the artwork warrants special attention.