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Helena First, Inc. records, 1965-1991

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Helena First, Inc.
Title
Helena First, Inc. records
Dates
1965-1991 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.5 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
MC 250
Summary
Helena First, Inc. was incorporated in 1967 with the goal of promoting and participating in the economic development of Helena. The records (1965-1990) consist of correspondence, minutes, project and subject files, and organizational materials. The major project of the organization was the building of the TraveLodge Motel (later Park Plaza Hotel).
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

Helena First, Inc. was incorporated on September 21, 1967, with the goal of promoting and participating in the economic development of Helena. Its membership consisted of owners of Helena businesses. The organization hired Alex Cunningham, a local insurance and property management consultant, as manager. Ward Shanahan served as legal counsel. Helena First, Inc. cooperated with the Helena Urban Renewal office in planning for the economic revitalization of downtown Helena. The major project of the organization was the building of a motel and convention center in the downtown area. This eventually led to the construction of the TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch (currently the Park Plaza). The motel was leased to Pearson Enterprises, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah, with an option to buy. When the lease expired the Pearsons declined to exercise the option and the hotel was sold to Eric Myhre in June 1980. Myhre's purchase contract was cancelled in October 1982 and a new contract made with Don West. West, however, was unable to complete the purchase and the property was sold to DeTienne Associates. In 1983 the name was changed to the Park Plaza. The negative side of Helena's Urban Renewal was the razing of many historic buildings on the Gulch in downtown Helena. These included the Wheat Building (formerly the Union Bank Building), the Wallace grocery building, the Holter hardware building, and several small rooming houses in the first block north of Broadway, as well as many other buildings throughout the downtown area. Helena First, Inc. officially dissolved itself in the fall of 1991.

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Content Description

Records. 1965-1990. 4.5 linear feet. Records of Helena First, Inc. include general correspondence (1965-1975), consisting primarily of interoffice correspondence between Alex Cunningham and board members Ward Shanahan and John Schroeder, and photocopies of Cunningham's outgoing correspondence sent to Shanahan and Schroeder for reference purposes. Later correspondence (1975-1991) is among the various board members and between them and other parties. Also included are legal case files (1983-1988) kept by Ward Shanahan as attorney for Helena First, Inc.; financial records (1967-1991) including annual financial audits, tax records, and invoices; legal documents (1967-1984); maps of downtown Helena; minutes (1967-1991); organizational records (1967-1991), including articles of incorporation, by-laws, and stockholder lists; and reports (1965-1988) consisting primarily of feasibility studies for the planned hotel. Subject files (1966-1987) concern the Helena Urban Renewal program, acquisition of the needed properties, and the building and operation of the hotel, including Jacobson & Shope's architectural plans for the hotel. In addition there are miscellaneous items, including a sketch of the Securities Building, and minutes (1967-1983) of several other organizations concerning property transfers.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged by series. Some material housed in Archives Map Case. See inventory below for more information.

Location of Collection

13:1-7

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Related Materials

Additional material on Helena's Urban Renewal program is contained in Holter Family Papers (MC 80, Box 112, Folder 15)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

  • General Correspondence

    • Description: TraveLodge Corporation (correspondence of Alex Cunningham, Inc. prior to incorporation of Helena First, Inc.)
      Dates: 1965-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes Montana Secretary of State, Union Bank and Trust Company, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 2
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration, Wellington Rankin Estate)
      Dates: 1968
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 3-4
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Capri Motels, Helena Urban Renewal, Lewis and Clark County, Montana Club, Montana Power Company, Morrison-Maierly, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration)
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 5-9
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Lewis and Clark County, Montana Power Company, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
      Dates: 1970 January-June
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10-11
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Power Company, Montana Investment Commissioner, Pearson Associates, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
      Dates: 1970 July-September
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1-2
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Power Company, Montana Liquor Control Board, Pearson Associates, Irwin "Shorty" Shope, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company)
      Dates: 1971
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 3-6
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Liquor Control Board, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company)
      Dates: 1972
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 7-8
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company)
      Dates: 1973
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 9-10
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge)
      Dates: 1974-1976
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 11
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge)
      Dates: 1977
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 12
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Pearson Associates)
      Dates: 1978-1979
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 1
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Eric Myhre, Myhre Advertising, Pearson Associates)
      Dates: 1980-1981
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 2
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Capri Motels, Eric Myhre, Myhre Advertising, Park Plaza Hotel)
      Dates: 1982
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 3
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Park Plaza Hotel, Don West)
      Dates: 1983-1984
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 4
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., DeTienne & Associates, Patrick Melby, Park Plaza Hotel)
      Dates: 1985-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 5
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., DeTienne & Associates, Patrick Melby, Western Federal Savings, Bob White)
      Dates: 1988-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 6
      Location: General Correspondence

  • Case Files

    • Description: Helena First, Inc. vs. City of Helena (re quieting title on property)
      Dates: 1987
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 7
      Location: Case Files
    • Description: Helena First, Inc. and DeTienne Associates vs. Dept. of Revenue of State of Montana (re tax appeal on Park Plaza Hotel)

      RESTRICTED

      Dates: 1983-1988
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 8
      Location: Case Files
    • Description: Helena First, Inc. vs Donald J. West d/b/a Park Plaza Hotel (re default on mortgage payments)
      Dates: 1984
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 9
      Location: Case Files
    • Description: Anna Lukanish vs. Helena First, Inc. (re injury claim)
      Dates: 1983-1985
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 10
      Location: Case Files

  • Financial Records

    • Description: Balance sheets
      Dates: 1968-1989
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 11
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Bank books
      Dates: 1977-1985
      Container: Box/Folder 3 / 12
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Bank statements
      Dates: 1983-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 1-2
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Corporate income tax returns

      RESTRICTED

      Dates: 1968-1990
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 3-5
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Financial statements and audits

      RESTRICTED

      Dates: 1969-1988
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 6-8
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Financial statements: JMJ Properties, Inc.
      Dates: 1983
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 9
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Financial status estimates
      Dates: 1970-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 10
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Insurance materials
      Dates: 1980-1988
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 11
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Invoices
      Dates: 1981-1984
      Container: Box/Folder 4 / 12
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Invoices
      Dates: 1985-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 1
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Property taxes

      RESTRICTED

      Dates: 1967-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 2-3
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Recapitulation of Alex Cunningham's management costs
      Dates: 1968-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 4
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Report of gross sales: TraveLodge
      Dates: 1972-1981
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 5
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1967-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 6
      Location: Financial Records

  • Legal Documents

    • Description: Agreements: City of Helena
      Dates: 1970-1978
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 7
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Agreements: liquor licenses
      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 8
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Agreements: Don West (re Park Plaza Hotel)
      Dates: 1982-1984
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 9
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Deeds: Hartwig property
      Dates: 1937, 1970-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 10
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Deeds: Harvey Hotel, Inc.
      Dates: 1968
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 11
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Deeds: Holter Building
      Dates: 1968
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 12
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Mortgages: Home Building and Loan Association
      Dates: 1967-1976
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 13
      Location: Legal Documents

  • Maps

    • Description: Plats of Last Chance Gulch and surrounding area (show building occupants and uses)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 14
      Location: Maps

  • Minutes

    • Description: Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings
      Dates: 1967 September- 1973 March
      Container: Box/Folder 5 / 15
      Location: Minutes
    • Description: Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: drafts (includes some material not in official minutes)
      Dates: 1968-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 1
      Location: Minutes
    • Description: Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: drafts (no official set of minutes exists for this period)
      Dates: 1973-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 2
      Location: Minutes
    • Description: Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: agendas, notes, meeting notices, etc. [scattered]
      Dates: 1967-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 3
      Location: Minutes

  • Organization

    • Description: Articles of incorporation and amendments
      Dates: 1967-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 4
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Bylaws
      Dates: 1967, 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 5
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Corporate directors lists
      Dates: 1970-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 6
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Corporation annual reports [incomplete set]
      Dates: 1967-1989
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 7
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Mailing list
      Dates: 1987-1991
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 8
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Registration with Montana Investment Commissioner
      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 9
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stock offering
      Dates: 1970-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 10
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stock pledges: correspondence
      Dates: 1967-1974
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 11
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stock pledges: not paid
      Dates: 1970-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 12
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stock pledges: partially paid
      Dates: 1970-1973
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 13
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stock register
      Dates: 1967-1974
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 14
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stockholder and subscription lists
      Dates: 1968-1974
      Container: Box/Folder 6 / 15
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Stockholder card file
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 7 /
      Location: Organization

  • Printed Material

    • Description: "Reclaimed stakes on Last Chance Gulch" (brochure re Urban Renewal)
      Dates: 1973
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 1
      Location: Printed Material

  • Reports

    • Description: "An appraisal of the Park Plaza Hotel on the Walking Mall, Helena, Montana," by C. Robert White
      Dates: 1988
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 2
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Economic feasibility study for a proposed motel and related facilities in Helena, Montana," by Urban Research and Development Company for E.W. Chaffin
      Dates: circa 1965
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 3
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Market, site and economic feasibility study for a proposed motor hotel in downtown Helena, Montana," by Harris, Kerr, Forster and Company for Helena First, Inc.
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 4
      Location: Reports
    • Description: Park Plaza Hotel expansion project report
      Dates: 1985
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 5
      Location: Reports
    • Description: Richard Shope conceptual plan for hotel
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 6
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Specifications for motor hotel, phase 1, Helena First, Inc., Helena, Montana," by Jacobson and Shope, Architects
      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 7
      Location: Reports

  • Subject Files

    • Description: Helena Urban Renewal and City-County Planning Dept.: correspondence
      Dates: 1971-1973
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Helena Urban Renewal (includes public information bulletin, redevelopment plan, HUD handbook)
      Dates: 1970-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Helena Urban Renewal (re purchase of property from Helena First, Inc.)
      Dates: 1970-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Jacobson and Shope, Architects: correspondence
      Dates: 1970-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 11
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Jacobson and Shope, Architects: contract
      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 12
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Investment Commissioner (registration of stock salesmen)
      Dates: 1969-1973
      Container: Box/Folder 8 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Power Company garage site acquisition
      Dates: 1968-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Park Plaza Hotel: balance sheet and five-year operating performance sheet
      Dates: 1983-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Park Plaza Hotel: Victor and Soren DeTienne / DeTienne Associates purchase
      Dates: 1984-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pearson Enterprises: correspondence
      Dates: 1970-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pearson Enterprises: financial statements
      Dates: 1976
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pearson Enterprises: general information
      Dates: circa 1976
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pearson Enterprises: legal documents
      Dates: 1970-1980
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pearson Enterprises: legal documents re sale of hotel to Eric Myhre and Myhre Advertising
      Dates: 1980-1982
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Pittsburgh Block: deed and minutes of Pittsburgh Block Company authorizing sale
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Rogene's of Helena, Inc.: stock certificate and minutes
      Dates: 1971-1974
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Saddleback Inns of the Americas (re proposal for Helena hotel)
      Dates: 1969-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 11
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Irwin "Shorty" Shope (re proposed mural for hotel)
      Dates: 1971
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 12
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch
      Dates: 1972-1984
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: architect's drawing and plans [Oversize: See Archives Map Case]
      Dates: 1971-1973
      Container: Oversize Folder 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: financial statements
      Dates: 1977
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 14
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: inventory
      Dates: 1972
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 15
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: repairs
      Dates: 1981
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 16
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: swimming pool
      Dates: 1973
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 17
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: United States Securities and Exchange Commission (re listing of stock issue)
      Dates: 1969-1973
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 18-21
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: United States Small Business Administration
      Dates: 1966-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 9 / 22
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Watters Construction Company: correspondence (re building of TraveLodge motel)
      Dates: 1970-1973
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Watters Construction Company: legal documents
      Dates: 1971-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Watters Construction Company: payment certificates (includes lists of jobs completed)
      Dates: 1971-1972
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Wheat Building (formerly Union Bank Building): correspondence and 1959 brochure offering building for sale
      Dates: 1959, 1968-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Wheat Building (formerly Union Bank Building): legal documents
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 5
      Location: Subject Files

  • Miscellany

    • Description: Helena Housing Authority Development Program status report
      Dates: 1971
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 6
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Minutes of other organizations (includes Harvey Hotel, Inc.; First National Bank and Trust Company; ad hoc group interested in downtown business district)
      Dates: 1967-1983
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 7
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Sketch of Securities Building
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 8
      Location: Miscellany

  • Clippings

    • Description: Miscellaneous (re TraveLodge, Urban Renewal, railroads)
      Dates: 1969-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 10 / 9
      Location: Clippings

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Motels

Corporate Names

  • Helena First, Inc. (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Helena (Mont.)

Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
1994

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