Fire Tower Celebration Planned for June 10
Published on June 04, 2025
Helena, Mont. – The City of Helena will host a public ceremony on Tuesday, June 10, to celebrate the restoration of Helena’s iconic Fire Tower. The event will start at 9 a.m. and will include remarks from Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins and members of the City Commission.
The Fire Tower restoration project was the culmination of nearly 10 years of work by the City. The repairs, which were done by Dick Anderson Construction, were critical to ensure the Fire Tower is structurally sound following an arson in 2016. To ensure the Fire Tower would continue to stand for years to come, repairs were needed to the stairs, legs, and support beams.
The Fire Tower was originally constructed in 1874. It has survived damage from earthquakes and fires but continues to stand over the City thanks to ongoing support from the community. In 2010, the Fire Tower was listed on the national register as a contributing structure in the Helena Historic District.
Following the fire in 2016, the City contracted with historic preservation experts to conduct an analysis of the structure and develop repair plans. The City Commission allocated general fund money for the project, along with $74,650 in Tax Increment Financing funds. The City also used a $10,000 grant from the Montana History Foundation to complete the project.
In September of 2024, the City Commission approved a bid award for $385,803 for Dick Anderson Construction to complete the repair. The project began in December 2024 and was complete this May.
The City recently also received a donation from the Dale family to add new lights to the Fire Tower in honor of Matthew Dale.