𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 (with some horses mixed in), Helena, MT, 1870. The mule skinner (drover) was riding the left-wheel mule, immediately in front of the tandem wagons. He directed the lead team with a long jerkline (rein). People were posed, since motion would have caused blur with the camera’s slow shutter. Gold discoveries of the 1860s had brought a rush of immigrants. Helena would later claim to have the most millionaires per capita of any USA city. Helena’s population in 2020 was 32,000, making it the USA’s 5th least populous state capital and the 6th largest city in Montana.

At the near right was Oliver C. Bundy, area photographer. The lensman was perhaps Edgar H. Train. Click image to enlarge/clarify. I used Photoshop to do a bit of digital cleaning/sharpening on the 150+ year old image. -Gary Coffrin.

- More information -
The photo showed Main Street (now Last Chance Gulch), with poles at the distant right holding telegraph lines. As was normal, neither of the freight wagons had seats at the front. Signs were visible for Belmont Saloon, Helena Brewery, and Union Brewery. Bill Moran was reported to be the mule skinner. English trapper Richard 'Bloody Dick' Leigh was standing near the intersection at the right. A few years earlier, all buildings in the area had been wooden structures. The brick buildings indicated a confidence in Helena’s future.

To supply mining camps and burgeoning towns in the area, about 2,500 teamsters, 6,000 horses, and 20,000 oxen and mules transported freight from the docks of Fort Benton, the world’s innermost port.

In 1867, Edgar H. Train had purchased the Douglass Photo Studio. Oliver Bundy, shown at the right, was Train’s brother-in-law. They became business partners, operating the Bundy and Train Gallery on Cutler Street, “near the head of Main Street.” In the fall of 1876, Bundy bought out Train. The aged print, 9.5 inches wide, is held by the MHS.

Cool!!!

I was told by an older fella from Helena tat when they dug the foundations for the buildings in last chance gulch they took out enough gold to pay for the construction.

Wow!

That must be where 20 mule team borax comes from.

Excellent choice again, 330. Thanks...

Jack

Good story...but were is the poop cleaner's to keep the streets clean......

That's really cool, 330.
I'd like to seen them backin into that parkin space

Is that an early BMW ?

That picture was apparently taken 6 years before Custers last stand. I read a detailed book about that. Supplies for the troops were barged up the Missouri and then taken overland by wagon, just like in that picture. Fort Benton is a long ways from Helena. Must have been a somewhat dangerous wagon journey. The caption mentioned telegraph lines. Wonder where they came from. Would seem hard to keep a telegraph line working over such a distance with indians probably cutting them. Tough living in those days.

My first trip to Utah, something caught my eye. How wide the streets were in the towns. My outfitter, a long time Mormon rancher, told me the streets in town were laid out wide so you could turn around with a big team of mules.

That's Awesome

Very interesting.