Helena
Capital of Montana, home of “Four Georgians”
The capital of Montana was established in October 1864, largely out of a gold rush along Last Chance Creek. Afterward, gold prospecting became a prominent activity in the area, with a quartet of such professionals becoming the famous “Four Georgians.”
The Four Georgians
Comprised of John Cowan, D.J. Miller, John Crab and Reginald (or Robert) Stanley, the group traveled across the Montana countryside desperately seeking gold. Moving from Virginia City to the Little Blackfoot River to the Continental Divide, the group finally settled on a place they called Last Chance Gulch. It was so named by the four because each had promised to completely abandon their gold prospecting ambitions if nothing was found there.
After digging two prospect pits along the Gulch in July of 1864, the group came to a startling discovery: hidden below were flat gold nuggets and valuable gold dust. Crab and Cowan returned to Virginia City for supplies, and the word spread of their find. Soon a flood of settlers made their way to what would be present-day Helena.
Last Chance Gulch now acts as Helena’s main street, weaving its way through the town as the original creek once did.
Fun Fact : Although they’re referred to as the Four Georgians, only one in the fateful group actually hailed from the southern state. That was John Cowan, while the others came from Alabama (Miller), Iowa (Crab) and England (Stanley).
What’s the name, again?
Although now referred to as Helena, the capital of Montana was once “Crabtown,” named after one of the Four Georgians, John Crab. Later the name became Pumpkinville, and then Squashtown. Miners arriving in the area were, perhaps understandably so, not amused with the gourd-flavored names. One resident suggested Saint Helena, and the name stuck, although the heavenly prefix was eventually dropped.
Montana is not known for its commercialism or corporate might, but in the late 19th century its gold-mining success meant that the town claimed some 50 millionaires, the most per capita of any city in the world at the time.
Fun Fact : An estimated $3.6 billion worth of gold was reaped from the area around Helena during a 20-year window in the latter part of the 19th century.
Landmarks
Today, Helena is both an educational and tourist hub. Although the population is small - just over 25,000 - students may attend either the respected Roman Catholic Caroll College (known for its program in liberal arts ), or an affiliate campus of the University of Montana.
Visitors to Montana often visit Helena for its landmarks such as Last Chance Gulch, or to see historic buildings such as Hotel Broadwater and Natatorium, built during the town’s heyday in 1889.
