В Хелене поездами рассказывают историю золотой лихорадки и жизни китайских иммигрантов

In 1864, four prospectors discovered gold in Last Chance Gulch, catapulting Helena into one of the west's most lucrative boom towns. Montana's Capital City has come a long way from its rough and tumble days as a frontier gold camp. But the seat of state government blends past with contemporary. NBC Montana took a ride on the Last Chance Tour Train, which has been continuously operating since 1954. While riders bought their tickets, conductor Teresa Rose greeted passengers. “Well, you have a fun seat back here," she told a little boy in the last seat of the train. "And who are you? What’s your name?" She was talking to young Louis, who is a huge fan of the train. “We love the tour train," said Louis' dad Derrick. " We’ve been on it at least five times this summer.” Teresa went up and down the filled train, talking to as many people as she could. Her engaging disposition, her background in voice and theater, plus her knowledge of Helena history invites passengers to enjoy the moment. “There’s a lot of places on the map where gold drove people here," she said. "Everything is called Last Chance." Teresa climbed into the driver's seat and we were off to learn more. One of the first landmarks she pointed to was the Montana State Capital, where crews have erected scaffolding to restore the dome. In its early days, Helena's gold rush brought fortune seekers from all over the world. “People came from all over, looking for gold," she said. Money flooded in and millionaires flourished. The train takes the passengers on an intensive tour of the Mansion District, where many of the most opulent houses were built. She takes us to a Tudor-style mansion that was owned by iron industrialist, Benjamin Tatum. “ It really has that European flair," she said. Then she pointed to a house that takes up the entire block. It was owned by Thomas C. Power, an early businessman, and former United States Senator. "He was the richest man around," said Teresa. “He employed over half of the entire population. He also owned over 95 businesses in his lifetime." We pass the Cathedral of Saint Helena, which is the Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena. “This cathedral," said Teresa, " was constructed in the early 1900’s.” Montana's most famous western painter spent time in Helena. “You see a stone house?" she asked passengers. "On the upper floor of the house itself, that second story is where Charlie Russell did some of his finest work.” Helena was also the early home to two of Hollywood's most famous stars of the Golden Age. “If anybody knows the movie star Mr. Gary Cooper. Well, he lived right here in Helena, Montana, said Teresa. "And his neighbor was the Hollywood movie star, the Queen of Hollywood, Miss Myrna Loy.” Then we come to a viewshed of a hill. "On top of that hill, ladies and gentlemen," said Teresa, "is (part of) the original stagecoach road, the Fort Benton Trail. There's about a quarter-mile of it right there." Moving further into downtown, Teresa drives past The Montana Club, where men had to be millionaires to belong. “At one point in time there were over 130 members," said Teresa, " so 130 millionaires right there at the Montana Club.” Those first fortune hunters who discovered gold wouldn't recognize this area today. “We are on Last Chance Gulch Road," said Teresa. " This is where it all started. See where it says Power Block here. That’s where Mr. Power had his bank. It’s where the very first gold was discovered right there at the beginning of the Walking Mall.” The mall is one of Helena's most popular shopping areas. But, with sculptures of miners in the olden days, it pays homage to those workers who made Helena what it is today. Teresa takes us past the Placer Center. “The Placer Center used to be the Placer Hotel," she said. "This was the most luxurious hotel.” But not everyone lived in luxury. It was a hard life. Teresa drives past what is left of the old Chinese Quarters. “More than 20 percent of the population of Helena were Chinese immigrants back in the day," she said. "Sadly, they were forced to work very long hours for minimal pay, and this is the area where they usually lived.” With urban renewal, homes of the Chinese here were torn down. It's a lot to pack in in an hour train ride. When we come back to the starting point of the tour, we talk to David Salsbury and his family. “We’ve done this train ride three or four times," he said. “I did the tour train in sixth grade, 26 years-ago," said David's son-in-law Jonathan Aldrich. Jonathan grew up in Lewistown. Now he and his wife Lesley are giving their young son Leo an early education in Helena history. 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