Helena.page

Helena, California

The townsite of Helena was originally an Indian campground along the North Fork of the Trinity River. The town was first named North Fork around 1850 when White settlers invaded the area in search of gold. The town's name was changed to Helena in 1870 when Christian Meckel (brother of John John Meckel - one of the two prominant families in this town) married Helena Josephine Hall. The John Meckel and Harmon Schlomer family lines were instrumental in the developement of Helena as a thriving community. These separate families owned and operated gold mines, the blacksmith shop, hotel, billiard sallon and brewery, trading post, and toll bridge of the Trinity River. Other businesses and buildings in town - or nearby - were a saw mill, hotel, post office, drug store, a Masonic Hall, and several neat cottage residences. The Meckel Hotel actually had the first piano brought into Trinity County which is now on display at the Trinity County museum.

Schlomer Brick building (Brewery Building) as it looks today - yr. 2000.

The Schlomer brick building is the first building one sees when approaching Helena on the present road. The building was constructed by Harmon Schlomer in 1859 out of bricks made of local clay on the site. Schlomer forged metal braces in his blacksmith shop which provided decoration to the masonry. Over the years the building served many purposes. In 1861 there was a saloon in the basement and the Schlomer family lived in the upper stories. The oldest son Charles was born there. In 1885 John Meckel brought beer from Weaverville and used the basement saloon to sell this beer. From this point on the building has been known as The Brewery. Catholic Mass was sometimes celebrated in the building and two of Christian Meckel's children were baptised here. The building at one time also served as a schoolhouse. It's last use came in the 1920's as an office building.

This building is one of the oldest buildings in Trinity County outside of Weaverville. Originally the main building of the Meckel Brothers general merchandise store, it was constructed in 1858 of native brick. It and Schlomer's brick building, constructed the following year, are the only two surviving pioneer brick buildings in Trinity County outside of Weaverville. Next to the brick building on the North side was a warehouse and a saddle house. Barns and corrals were over near the river, where 50 - 60 mules were kept. The Trinity Journal reported that the Meckel building cost $4,500 to build and an additional $500 was spent on the iron doors.

BAGDAD - NORTH FORK - HELENA
Established about 1850

A supply center for the gold mining activity of North Fork, East Fork of the North Fork and main Trinity River for more than 70 years. This fine range at one time hoasted of a hotel, store, livery stable, blacksmith shop, brewery, warehouse, and several residences. This brick building erected by Christian Meckel in 1858 with brick made locally. Brick building to the South erected by Harm Schlomer about 1860. Helena Post Office established and named after Helena Meckel in 1891.

This plaque is attached to the Meckel Brick Store Building and says:

When Christian Meckel died in 1904 his wife, Helena, moved to Weaverville. For many years she leased the property at Helena to Lin and Lilly Knowles. In 1924 the property was sold to Harvey Stofer. Stofer in 1930 tore down the Meckel Hotel and started construction of a new hotel. Unfortunately he was forclosed and was unable to complete his hotel. In 1939, H.G. Schlomer, the surviving son of Schlomer family, aquired the property and completed the hotel. The hotel and land was passed along from one generation to the next until 1966 when it was all sold for $50,000 to F.L. DiNapoli of San Jose. In 1969 Mr. DiNapoli upgraded the hotel including a large fireplace in the main reception room. On New Years Day 1971, the Stofer Hotel and attached buildings were completely destroyed by fire. Now only the foundation, concrete steps, and ruins of the 1969 fireplace remain.

The Stopher Hotel as it looks today.

The Currie cottage was built by Algernon S. Currie and his wife Rebecca, both of whom are buried in the Helena cemetery.

The Schlomer Feed Stable stands about 50 yards South of the Currie House. Originally there was a watering trough in the front.

The Henena Cemetery is located across the North Fork from the Helena townsite. An interesting aspect of this cemetery is the plot of the Harmon Schlomer family. The entire family, with the exception of the older daughter Barbara, is buried here. The plot was fenced with an ornamental iron fence forged by Harmon Schlomer, himself, in his blacksmith shop. Unfortunately, half the fence was stolen by vandals.