Overview of the Collection Creator Helena First, Inc. Title Helena First, Inc. records Dates 1965-1991 (inclusive) 1965 1991 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, Research Center Archives Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives 225 North Roberts PO Box 201201 Helena MT 59620-1201 Telephone: 406-444-2681 Fax: 406-444-5297 mhslibrary@mt.gov Access Restrictions Collection open for research. Languages Sponsor English Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. 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 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 1
well as many other buildings throughout the downtown area. Helena First, Inc. officially dissolved itself in the fall of 1991. 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. 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. 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. http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 2
Related Materials Additional material on Helena's Urban Renewal program is contained in Holter Family Papers (MC 80, Box 112, Folder 15) Detailed Description of the Collection The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection General Correspondence 1 / 1 TraveLodge Corporation (correspondence of Alex Cunningham, Inc. prior to incorporation of Helena First, Inc.) 1 / 2 Miscellaneous (includes Montana Secretary of State, Union Bank and Trust Company, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) 1 / 3-4 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration, Wellington Rankin Estate) 1 / 5-9 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) 1 / 10-11 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Lewis and Clark County, Montana Power Company, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) 2 / 1-2 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Power Company, Montana Investment Commissioner, Pearson Associates, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) 2 / 3-6 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Power Company, Montana Liquor Control Board, Pearson Associates, Irwin "Shorty" Shope, Richard Shope, U.S. 1965-1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 January- June 1970 July- September 1971 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 3
Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company) 2 / 7-8 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Montana Liquor Control Board, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company) 2 / 9-10 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Watters Construction Company) 2 / 11 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge) 2 / 12 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Helena Urban Renewal, Pearson Associates, Richard Shope, TraveLodge) 3 / 1 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, City of Helena, Pearson Associates) 3 / 2 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Eric Myhre, Myhre Advertising, Pearson Associates) 3 / 3 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Capri Motels, Eric Myhre, Myhre Advertising, Park Plaza Hotel) 3 / 4 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., Park Plaza Hotel, Don West) 3 / 5 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., DeTienne & Associates, Patrick Melby, Park Plaza Hotel) 3 / 6 Miscellaneous (includes interoffice, Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., DeTienne & Associates, Patrick Melby, Western Federal Savings, Bob White) 1972 1973 1974-1976 1977 1978-1979 1980-1981 1982 1983-1984 1985-1987 1988-1991 Case Files http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 4
3 / 7 Helena First, Inc. vs. City of Helena (re quieting title on property) 3 / 8 Helena First, Inc. and DeTienne Associates vs. Dept. of Revenue of State of Montana (re tax appeal on Park Plaza Hotel) RESTRICTED 3 / 9 Helena First, Inc. vs Donald J. West d/b/a Park Plaza Hotel (re default on mortgage payments) 1987 1983-1988 1984 3 / 10 Anna Lukanish vs. Helena First, Inc. (re injury claim) 1983-1985 Financial Records 3 / 11 Balance sheets 1968-1989 3 / 12 Bank books 1977-1985 4 / 1-2 Bank statements 1983-1991 4 / 3-5 Corporate income tax returns RESTRICTED 4 / 6-8 Financial statements and audits RESTRICTED 1968-1990 1969-1988 4 / 9 Financial statements: JMJ Properties, Inc. 1983 4 / 10 Financial status estimates 1970-1972 4 / 11 Insurance materials 1980-1988 4 / 12 Invoices 1981-1984 5 / 1 Invoices 1985-1991 5 / 2-3 Property taxes 1967-1991 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 5
RESTRICTED 5 / 4 Recapitulation of Alex Cunningham's management costs 1968-1970 5 / 5 Report of gross sales: TraveLodge 1972-1981 5 / 6 Miscellaneous 1967-1991 Legal Documents 5 / 7 Agreements: City of Helena 1970-1978 5 / 8 Agreements: liquor licenses 1970 5 / 9 Agreements: Don West (re Park Plaza Hotel) 1982-1984 5 / 10 Deeds: Hartwig property 1937, 1970-1971 5 / 11 Deeds: Harvey Hotel, Inc. 1968 5 / 12 Deeds: Holter Building 1968 5 / 13 Mortgages: Home Building and Loan Association 1967-1976 Maps 5 / 14 Plats of Last Chance Gulch and surrounding area (show building occupants and uses) undated Minutes http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 6
5 / 15 Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings 1967 September- 1973 March 6 / 1 Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: drafts (includes some material not in official minutes) 6 / 2 Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: drafts (no official set of minutes exists for this period) 6 / 3 Board of Directors and Stockholders meetings: agendas, notes, meeting notices, etc. [scattered] 1968-1972 1973-1991 1967-1991 Organization 6 / 4 Articles of incorporation and amendments 1967-1970 6 / 5 Bylaws 1967, 1970 6 / 6 Corporate directors lists 1970-1991 6 / 7 Corporation annual reports [incomplete set] 1967-1989 6 / 8 Mailing list 1987-1991 6 / 9 Registration with Montana Investment Commissioner 1970 6 / 10 Stock offering 1970-1971 6 / 11 Stock pledges: correspondence 1967-1974 6 / 12 Stock pledges: not paid 1970-1971 6 / 13 Stock pledges: partially paid 1970-1973 6 / 14 Stock register 1967-1974 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 7
6 / 15 Stockholder and subscription lists 1968-1974 7 / Stockholder card file undated Printed Material 8 / 1 "Reclaimed stakes on Last Chance Gulch" (brochure re Urban Renewal) 1973 Reports 8 / 2 "An appraisal of the Park Plaza Hotel on the Walking Mall, Helena, Montana," by C. Robert White 8 / 3 "Economic feasibility study for a proposed motel and related facilities in Helena, Montana," by Urban Research and Development Company for E.W. Chaffin 8 / 4 "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. 1988 circa 1965 1969 8 / 5 Park Plaza Hotel expansion project report 1985 8 / 6 Richard Shope conceptual plan for hotel undated 8 / 7 "Specifications for motor hotel, phase 1, Helena First, Inc., Helena, Montana," by Jacobson and Shope, Architects 1970 Subject Files http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 8
8 / 8 Helena Urban Renewal and City-County Planning Dept.: correspondence 8 / 9 Helena Urban Renewal (includes public information bulletin, redevelopment plan, HUD handbook) 8 / 10 Helena Urban Renewal (re purchase of property from Helena First, Inc.) 1971-1973 1970-1972 1970-1971 8 / 11 Jacobson and Shope, Architects: correspondence 1970-1972 8 / 12 Jacobson and Shope, Architects: contract 1970 8 / 13 Montana Investment Commissioner (registration of stock salesmen) 1969-1973 9 / 1 Montana Power Company garage site acquisition 1968-1970 9 / 2 Park Plaza Hotel: balance sheet and five-year operating performance sheet 9 / 3 Park Plaza Hotel: Victor and Soren DeTienne / DeTienne Associates purchase 1983-1987 1984-1987 9 / 4 Pearson Enterprises: correspondence 1970-1972 9 / 5 Pearson Enterprises: financial statements 1976 9 / 6 Pearson Enterprises: general information circa 1976 9 / 7 Pearson Enterprises: legal documents 1970-1980 9 / 8 Pearson Enterprises: legal documents re sale of hotel to Eric Myhre and Myhre Advertising 9 / 9 Pittsburgh Block: deed and minutes of Pittsburgh Block Company authorizing sale 1980-1982 1969 9 / 10 Rogene's of Helena, Inc.: stock certificate and minutes 1971-1974 9 / 11 Saddleback Inns of the Americas (re proposal for Helena hotel) 1969-1970 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 9
9 / 12 Irwin "Shorty" Shope (re proposed mural for hotel) 1971 9 / 13 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch 1972-1984 Oversize Folder 1 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: architect's drawing and plans [Oversize: See Archives Map Case] 1971-1973 9 / 14 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: financial statements 1977 9 / 15 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: inventory 1972 9 / 16 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: repairs 1981 9 / 17 TraveLodge on Last Chance Gulch: swimming pool 1973 9 / 18-21 United States Securities and Exchange Commission (re listing of stock issue) 1969-1973 9 / 22 United States Small Business Administration 1966-1971 10 / 1 Watters Construction Company: correspondence (re building of TraveLodge motel) 1970-1973 10 / 2 Watters Construction Company: legal documents 1971-1972 10 / 3 Watters Construction Company: payment certificates (includes lists of jobs completed) 10 / 4 Wheat Building (formerly Union Bank Building): correspondence and 1959 brochure offering building for sale 10 / 5 Wheat Building (formerly Union Bank Building): legal documents 1971-1972 1959, 1968-1969 1969 Miscellany http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 10
10 / 6 Helena Housing Authority Development Program status report 1971 10 / 7 Minutes of other organizations (includes Harvey Hotel, Inc.; First National Bank and Trust Company; ad hoc group interested in downtown business district) 1967-1983 10 / 8 Sketch of Securities Building undated Clippings 10 / 9 Miscellaneous (re TraveLodge, Urban Renewal, railroads) 1969-1987 Names and Subjects Subject Terms : Motels Corporate Names : Helena First, Inc. (creator) Geographical Names : Helena (Mont.) Finding aid prepared by MHS staff 1994 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West: http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/cc-attr.shtml http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv94054 11