
Last post was a shout-out to the restoration of KPRK radio station in Livingston. That is not the only success of the summer of 2025. In Helena came the successful restoration of the iconic fire tower that has watched over the city for decades. it too some discussions and considerations but the outcome of giving this city landmark a life to the end of the century was certainly worth it.

On the other side of the Gulch in Helena an uncertain future awaits the historic Hawthorne School. It closed at the send of the spring 2025. Let’s hope new life, and a new purpose, can be given to this neighborhood landmark. So many Montana towns have carried out effective adaptive reuse projects with historic schools. Helena can follow those traditions.

Always interesting essays on your site.
And idea about the Helena school – does it have a connection with Gary Cooper and/or Myrna Loy? If so, that could be a major argument for restoring it as an art/acting/film center, could it not?
Cheers,
Don Scott, Carson City https://georgerstewart.wordpress.com/