Built 1888 to 1890, the Electric Building (later called the Electric Block) had coal-fired steam dynamos in the basement that generated much of Helena's electricity until 1898, when hydroelectric power from the first Canyon Ferry Dam came online. The building also housed businesses, offices and apartments. In 1891, the Montana Senate met there.
The disused 120-foot tall stone and brick chimney was removed in 1905, accompanied by extensive renovations. In 1910, an additional story was added, along with more renovations, including the installation of an automatic elevator, the first of its kind in Helena. In 1911, the Helena YWCA was first organized in one room of the Electric Block.
On January 7, 1974 the City Commission awarded a contract for demolition of the Electric Block and the Electric Block annex to the Norman Rogers Mining Co. of Helena for $57,800. Rogers was the low bidder.
In 1977, a parking garage was built on the site. Contractors ran into problems while setting footings for the garage, encountering stubborn sub-basements and mining tunnels.
Cache is a small container and might be tricky for vertically challenged cachers but there is a "step" near the cache. Please bring a scribbling stick.
Disclaimer: You are under no obligation to hunt my caches. You do so at your own risk. Like any outdoor sport, it carries the risk of unforeseen hazards. Use your best judgment with the environment and conditions. As conditions and cache locations may vary, it is the responsibility of the searcher to be familiar with the conditions in the area to be searched, to adequately prepare for those conditions, and to conduct oneself safely and responsibly and remain within his or her personal abilities and limitations. Children should be well supervised. When and if you find a cache, you are under no obligation to touch it, reach it, climb to it, dig for it, pick it up, or even open it. Open it at your own risk. IF THE COORDINATES WERE SPOT ON, IT WOULD TAKE ALL THE ADVENTURE OUT OF THE SPORT.