KGR Radio - Helena's Greatest Hits

08/16/2025

08/14/2025

1939!

Helena History Photo Quiz ANSWER ::: It looks like Steve Andre was the first to post the correct answer to the Quiz, followed quickly by Cherrl Evans.

The 1939 photo shows the south side of the Union Bank & Trust Co. (originally Merchants National Bank) on Edwards Street. Main Street buildings and an automobile are seen in the background.

In 1890 the Merchants National constructed this six-story bank building on the NW corner of Main and Edwards, where Helena's second (1872) Masonic Temple once stood. Eight years later, after the Merchants had suspended business operations, they sold the building to the newly-organized Union Bank and Trust Company. The Union Bank maintained its quarters there for 61 years, moving to a new building at the SW corner of Lawrence and Last Chance Gulch in July of 1959.

Montana Power offices moved into the main floor of the Merchants National building, then known as the Wheat Building, and the upper floors were leased as office space. The handsome structure was demolished in the autumn of 1975, during Urban Renewal. There is a c.1892 lithograph of the building in the comments below.

A tip o' the banker's silk top hat to Steve and Cherrl, and well done, all!

08/14/2025

Today we talked about this rubber duck race for charity in Chicago 😄Share a cool fundraiser you've seen!

Happy Chicago Ducky Derby day! The annual rubber duck race was held on the Chicago River today. For video licensing inquiries, contact: [email protected]

08/14/2025

Today in 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd released their debut album, pronounced 'L?h-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd. Several of the album's tracks remain among the band's most well-known: 'Gimme Three Steps', 'Simple Man', 'Tuesday's Gone', and 'Free Bird'.

08/13/2025

Today we talked about these bison blocking the highway in Washington state 😅 Share something unexpected you've seen on the road!

Traffic on a busy Washington state highway was brought to a halt in both directions in Elma when a herd of escaped bison found their way into the roadway.

08/13/2025

Today in 1978, The Commodores started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Three Times A Lady', also No.1 in the UK and becoming Motown's biggest British selling single.

08/12/2025

Today we talked about these cows causing a little extra chaos when they were released by a wind storm in Scotland! Share a weird storm you've lived through!

Gusts of more than 90mph from Storm Floris that brought travel disruption, power cuts and the widespread cancellation of events across large parts of the UK,...

08/12/2025

Today in 1984, Ray Parker JR. started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the theme from the film 'Ghostbusters'.

08/11/2025

1902!

The 1902 edition of the Ringling Bros. Circus, set up at what is now Memorial Park, on September 3.

Handbills for the show touted the exhibition of the last and only living giraffe on earth, a slightly exaggerated claim.

One of the painted canvas sideshow signs seen in this photo announces "Lentine -- 3 Legged Wonder". That was presumably Italian-born Frank Lentini (1889-1966), who was a notable sideshow performer for some 40 years.

More wonderful photos of the show, from the Charles J. Tipton collection, can be seen by visiting the page linked below.

08/11/2025

Today we talked about a small fire and power outage in BC caused by a fish 😅 Share a weird wildlife encounter you've seen!

08/11/2025

Today in 1985, Canadian singer, guitarist Bryan Adams scored his first US No.1 album with 'Reckless.'

08/10/2025

Today in 1975, The Bee Gees started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Jive Talkin', the group's second US No.1 it made No.5 in the UK.