Helena Historic District
Also known as: Helena Townsite
Why it's listed
Helena is a former gold-rush supply town on the North Fork of the Trinity River in Trinity County, California, once known as North Fork. Its district takes in the remains of the old townsite, orchards, a cemetery and the surrounding setting. Surviving buildings include the Meckel Store of 1858, now a post office restored in 1976, and the three-story Schlomer Brick Building of 1859, which is in serious disrepair. The Currie Cottage, Schlomer Feed Stable and Meckel Barn also date from the 1850s and 1860s. The Meckel and Schlomer families ran the hotel, store, packing business, blacksmith shop and livery that anchored the town. For over 80 years Helena supplied mines along the North Fork, the New River and the Trinity River, and it was the end of the wagon road from Weaverville. Its decline followed the 1931 highway bridge, which bypassed the town. Archaeological work nearby suggests habitation about 4,000 years ago.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Helena is one of the oldest surviving pioneer mining settlements in California, with both historic and archaeological value. It was the major supply center for nearby gold mines for over 80 years and a key stopping place at the end of the wagon road from Weaverville. Excavations also indicate human habitation in the area some 4,000 years ago or longer.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84001219, listed May 24, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of U.S. 299 W, on North Fork of Trinity River, Helena |
|---|---|
| County | Trinity County |
| Listed | May 24, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001219 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1850s - 1890s |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Aboriginal, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as deteriorated, ruins, altered and good. The Meckel Store was restored in 1976 and serves as a post office. The Schlomer Brick Building is in serious disrepair. None of the other buildings is occupied, and a caretaker lives on site in a mobile home. The cemetery is still in use. |
| Acreage | 43 |
| Coordinates | 40.77485, -123.12936 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84001219.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q49499678
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.