Bluestone House

No building in Helena has a more mythical history than the Bluestone House at 80 South Warren. The story that it was built for the wife of architect James Stranahan is nothing more than a fairy tale. Almost all sources perpetuate this myth. According to title information, Stranahan designed the house as a private residence for Lillie McGraw, one of Helena's wealthy proprietor madams, but she could not afford to finish it. The house was never finished and not lived in until briefly in the 1930s.

Sources at Lewis & Clark Library

1. Liffring, Bob. Tour Train Companion. Helena, Montana: Manx Publishing Co. 105-106. [Shelfmark M 978.66 L]
2. Jiusto, Chere. The Heart of Helena: A Historical Tour. Helena, Montana: City of Helena, 1989. 4.
3. Paladin, Vivian, and Jean Baucus. Helena: An Illustrated History. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 1996. 78, 206. [Shelfmark M 978.6615 P].
4. Baumler, Ellen. "The Bluestone House." More From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch: Volume 3. Helena, Montana: Helena Independent Record, 1998. 164-168. [Shelfmark M 978.6615 M]
5. Baumler, Ellen. "The Bluestone House." Helena Independent Record 9 August 1996, Pages 1C-2C.

Sources at the Montana Historical Society Research Center

1. Jiusto, Chere. The Heart of Helena: A Historical Tour. Helena, Montana: City of Helena, 1989. 4.
2. Paladin, Vivian, and Jean Baucus. Helena: An Illustrated History. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 1996. 78, 206. 
3. Baumler, Ellen. "The Bluestone House." More From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch: Volume 3. Helena, Montana: Helena Independent Record, 1998. 164-168. 
4. Research Center vertical file, Bluestone House. Includes chain of titles.
5. Baumler, Ellen. "The Bluestone House." Helena Independent Record 9 August 1996, Pages 1C-2C.

State Historic Preservation Office

1. Source 1
2. Source 2
3. Source 3

On-line resources

1. Baumler, Ellen. "The Bluestone House." Helena Independent Record 9 August 1996, Pages 1C-2C.
2. Source 2