Built in 1934-35 and dedicated on September 21 1935, the then Helena High School was open for just weeks when earthquakes struck the city of Helena, severely damaging the brand new school. A structural engineer, upon examining the damage, proclaimed that the severity of the damage was the fault of not only the earthquakes, but almost everyone concerned:
Writing in "Building Standards," a technical magazine for December, R. M. Beanfield of Los Angeles, a structural engineer of standing on the Pacific coast, has this to say about the failure of the Helena High School to stand the earthquake strain, after he had made a personal investigation and spent much time going over the structure:
"Materials failed, not because of their inherent weakness, but by reason of their unintelligent use and combination, improper designs, together with poor workmanship and construction."
From the Helena Independent Record, January 10, 1936
Unskilled laborers performed much of the work which should have been done by highly skilled builders, the architects and engineers responsible for the structure gave no consideration to earthquake survival, the materials specified for the building were both ill considered in terms of their ability to withstand earthquakes and were used incorrectly, the PWA insisted on keeping workers employed on projects such as this, regardless of their abilities or lack thereof.
As a result, the building was 75% destroyed. The original brick building was rebuilt using reinforced concrete, this time in a quite attractive Art Deco Style. With the construction of a new high school, this school became the Helena Junior High, or Helena Middle School. See
This Website for earthquake and before and after photos of the school.
And, as if earthquakes weren't enough, in later years the school had vandals to contend with. Earlier this year (2017) the school was broken into, vandalized and almost burned.
Read below for the details.
Juveniles vandalize Helena Middle School
planned to start a fire
By Jacob Fuhrer - MTN News | Jun 23, 2017 5:39 PM PDT
HELENA -
Four juveniles were apprehended by Helena Police on Thursday after allegedly breaking into Helena Middle School grounds and vandalizing property.
Police were dispatched to the area around 10:30 P.M.
They found four minors at the scene. Two of those children were just 6 and 8 years old. That’s the age of typical first and third graders.
Helena Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps said the group had plans to light a building on fire.
“When they were asked what they were doing, their comment back to the police was, ‘we intend to burn this building down,’" Copps said.
Helena Police cited the 12-year-old and 14-year-old for burglary and obstructing a peace officer.
Copps also said they found graffiti on the concession stand near the track.
Thursday night’s incident comes after teachers reported seeing juveniles outside the school a day earlier.
A broken window was later found at the school.
Lieutenant Cory Bailey with Helena Police said incidents like these are why it’s important to keep an eye on your kids.
“It is summer time, and we want people out and enjoying the weather,” Bailey said. “Just a reminder to parents, make sure you know where your children are and who they’re with and what they’re doing,” Bailey said.
The 6-year-old and 8-year-old have been referred to juvenile probation for a follow up.
There is no word yet on the amount of damages to the school’s property.
From the Helena Independent Record