KGR Radio - Helena's Greatest Hits

09/27/2025

09/26/2025

Today we talked about this "mean squirrel" terrorizing a neighborhood in California! Tell us about a wildlife encounter you've had!

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KRON) — San Rafael residents are reporting squirrel attacks around their Lucas Valley neighborhood. In recent days, a squirrel has ambushed and bitten people, residents sa…

09/25/2025

1898!

War fever ran high in the US during the Spanish-American War in 1898. That fervor was naturally attractive to young boys in communities across the country, prompting the spontaneous formation of juvenile "militias" that would set up little camps and perform drills for the public.

The group in Helena called themselves Camp Edwards. Why they were so named is unclear, although there was also a local baseball team at the time named Camp Edwards. There are no names associated with the photo or the short newspaper item.

They are seen here camped at Broadwater, on the site where American Storage West is now located, off of the 3500 block of Euclid Avenue.

Photo courtesy of the James Nuss Collection...

09/24/2025

Today we talked about this snake in Australia found hundreds of miles outside its native range! Share an unexpected wildlife encounter you've had!

A highly venomous snake has been found far from its usual range, sparking a rare job for snake handlers and an investigation by authorities. A brilliant orange-red Collett’s snake was discovered in the front yard of a resident’s property at Bribie Island. Ryan Fuller and Dimity Maxfield, of Snak...

09/23/2025

1937 v. now!

Helena History Photo Quiz ANSWER ::: It looks like Clint Vincent was the first to correctly I.D. the intersection of N. Main (Last Chance Gulch) and Lawrence St. I think just about all the answers were in the right neighborhood.

The building pictured in 1937 was the 1924 Phoenix Building. It was very utilitarian in design. Link and Haire were the architects; Frank Jacoby & Son the general contractors.

It was constructed primarily as part of Helena's "Automobile Row", which was comprised of the Empson Buildings on Placer and Fuller, and the Central Garage at the corner of Fuller and Lawrence. Among the first tenants of the Phoenix Building were a Buick and Cadillac dealership and an automobile accessories supply house.

In 1940, the grocery store space pictured here was converted to the Corner Bar, which had Helena's first self-opening electric-eye doors, which were a real novelty.

The building was demolished in 1957 to make way for the construction of Union Bank & Trust Company, now Wells Fargo.

For more about the Phoenix Building and its neighbors, please take the link in the comments below.

A tip o' the hat to Clint for being first with the right answer, and well done, all!

Photo from the Ted Kirkmeyer Collection, courtesy of Tom Mulvaney.

09/22/2025

Today we talked about this stuntman in Australia who broke a world record pulling a car while fully on fire 🤯 Share a wild feat you've seen!

09/19/2025

Today we talked about a scandal in the Scottish World Stone Skimming Championships! Would you be that serious about stone skipping?

The world of sport has been rocked in recent years by allegations of doping , match fixing and other underhand tactics.

09/18/2025

1898!

An 1898 view, looking southeast from 508 Monroe Avenue. Holter St. (then Spruce) runs left to right. When this photo was taken, 508 was the home of Episcopal Bishop Leigh Richmond Brewer (1839-1916).

Surprisingly little has changed around this intersection in the past 127 years.

The house on the left is 618 Holter. The belfry of Hawthorne School is a notable feature. The Lewis & Clark County Courthouse is seen in the distance, along with downtown and "Catholic Hill" buildings.

Glass negative from the Baird Collection...

09/18/2025

Today we talked about this raccoon porch pirate caught on camera in New York! Share something funny you've caught on camera!

A raccoon in Plattsburgh has been caught on security footage stealing a package containing pet food, leading to a full refund for the homeowner.MyNBC5 is you...

09/17/2025

Today we talked about this year's "Rytoberfest" 😂 Would you go to next year's?

Hundreds of people named "Ryan" gathered in New York City on Saturday in an attempt to break a world record, while raising money for a good cause at the same...