Griswold Union High School
Helix was the first district to organize a Union High School in Umatilla County. The law authorizing organization of Union High Schools went into effect in 1921, and in the same year, a petition was presented for the formation of this high school. The following elementary school districts were embraced in Union High School District Number 1: Numbers 69, 54, 58, 70, 91, 105, 24, 38, 15, and 86. Organization and consolidations were completed on January 4, 1922, forming Helix School District #1.The board of directors, by resolution, named the school, built in 1922-1923, "Griswold Union High School No. 1," being named in honor of Dr. John Griswold, who was a practicing physician and surgeon in Helix for a period of over 40 years. The building was bonded for $30,000 and would be built on the site of a baseball field where the city team, the Helix Red Devils, played their games.During the term of his long residence in Helix, Dr. Griswold endeared himself to the entire community. Many times when the roads were impassable for vehicle travel, he made the trips on foot to minister to the sick within a radius of 40-50 miles. He knew that when he made such trips and endured the hardships, that he would receive little or nothing for his services.Dr. Griswold was very interested in the young people of the community and was foremost at all times in prompting the interest of better schoolsDuring the year 1958-1959, a new gymnasium and grade school was built for the sum of $316,000. The main brick building was most recently updated in 2015 and is still in use today as Griswold High School.
Helix Masonic Lodge
The Masonic Lodge Hall was built in 1899 and underwent extensive renovation in the 1940s. Fraternal orders were once an important part of the social structure of rural America, and this lodge was one of two orders that once convened in Helix, along with the Knights of Pythias. Members met here to carry on the business of the Free Masons, but more importantly, to network, socialize, and build comeraderie. The lodge also served benevolent purposes and frequently contributed to local causes.The building is curently part of the Helix School District campus and serves as the band room and wood shop.
First Building in Helix
It was on this lot that Helix's first building was built in 1881 by Orange Switzler. The building, called the old red house, served as a post office, a butcher shop, grocery store, rooming house, birthplace of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, and home for the first newspaper in Helix, "The Inland Homestead," in 1889.Later, Vernon Kerley tore down the old red house and built the small home that occupies the lot still today. This house became longtime Helix residents Henry and Cassie Campbell's home in 1931.
Kerley's Garage
Originally known as Vernon Kerley's Garage, this building on the northwest corner of Columbia and Main, once had gas pumps, sold tires, housed an automotive shop, and possibly even served as a used car dealership. Later, the building was purchased by Henry Campbell and renamed “Campbell’s Service” unitl the early 1980s. It continued to serve primarily as an auto shop, but Campbell also operated it as a “tavern,” and small store stocked with convenience items, along with operating other business ventures out of the building.It is now a privately owned shop.
Blinn's Market
This handsome brick building historically housed the Helix Lockers. It was constructed in 1920 as Blinn's Store. Fred Blinn lived across the street at what is now 208 Solar Street. The store originally had a post office on one side. Blinn’s also sold groceries, confectionaries, shoes, and general hardware items. Outside, there was once a water trough and hitching rack for the customer's horses. Later owners of the market included the Smith brothers, Chris Brogoitti, and most notably, Sam and Argiene Gjerde, who farmed in the midwest until moving to the area in 1947. In 1958 they purchased the now-renamed Helix Locker, which they owned for 26 years until retirement in 1984. The name reflected one of the primary sources of revenue for the business, namely, storing meat in small rental lockers in the back cooler as well as in the basement.Currently, the building is locally owned and houses The Grange, formerly the Helix Pub & Market, and is still a favorite local gathering spot.
P. Sones Hardware Store
Originally built and owned by Sones and Walker, J.S. Norvell bought this hardware store in 1904 and lived next door. Norvell ran the business as J.S. Norvell & Co. for many years.Early in its history, Norvell also branched out and sold insurance policies out of the business as a way to diversity its offerings. The store also sold various lines of farm equipment such as plows, rod weeders, and tillage implements.It was eventually purchased by John Freeman Young in the 1950s and later, Bob Fowler. Genericaly, it has mostly been known as the Helix Hardware Store.Due to its current poor condition and lack of a foundation, the building is slated to be demolished.
The Bank of Helix
The existing bank building was built in 1914, as a replacement for an earlier wood frame bank building that existed on the same site. The articles of incorporation were filed in 1904, with a capital stock of $25,000 (an excess of $835,000 in 2022 dollars). Incorporators were W.M. Scott, Charles McAlavy, Frank Richmond, Z.W. Lockwood, and E.L. Smith.The Bank of Helix could boast that it survived the banking emergencies that closed thousands of banks across the country in the wake of the stock market crash of 1929. Many community members and farmers across the area conducted all of their banking activities through the Bank of Helix, including checking and savings accounts, as well as taking out loans. Many local farm expansions and consolidations were financed through the local bank. After the bank ceased operation in the 1940s, the building became the office headquarters of the Farmer’s Mutual Grain Company until the 1970s.As the city’s oldest brick structure, the building currently serves as a private residence.
Helix Railroad Depot
This building, part of the original Helix Railroad Depot, was located on land just north of Richmond Lane and Harrison Street. It serviced a standard gauge train line that ran its way north through Vansycle Canyon on its way to the Columbia River at Wallula, Washington, where it merged with other railways that continued north to Pasco and west to Umatilla. The Washington and Columbia River Railroad was built through Helix in 1889. By then, there were five businesses and one dozen residences in the town. But, difficult times would halt the growth of the small town. The Panic of 1893 was an economic depression in the United States that began in 1893 and ended in 1897. It deeply affected every sector of the economy and all areas of the country. Between 1892 and 1893, wheat prices tumbled due to storms, drought, and overproduction. The decline in prices caused grave financial problems for farmers. Purchasing power for goods and services decreased. Not until 1897 did business revive and activity begin again. In 1920, the population of Helix reached 290.Currently, this building is part of the Helix City Museum and will feature exhibits about Helix’s railroad past.
Original Helix Elementary School
This building, now a private residence, was the first Helix Elementary School. Records indicate that the first pioneer school house was built in 1880 behind this building. It was replaced by this structure in 1889. It has also been used for church services and literary and debating groups. During wintertime, community meetings were also held in this building. After the new elementary school was built in 1915, the upper story of this school was converted to a gymnasium.It was later used to house teachers.The building is now a private residence.
Helix Elementary School
The Helix Grade School is located South of Columbia Street at the end of Harrison. Currently the building serves as the Helix City Hall, Helix Museum, and the Helix Public Library. Construction on this brick building began in 1913, and was in operation by 1915. The building originally had no lighting and was heated by a coal-fired furnace. The first library began in 1917.In the 1915 photo, students are: Edmund Potts, Edna Potts, ”Bub” Kendall, Letha Albee, Clara King, Ted Norvell, Marie Kupers, America Hutchinson, Irma Ruther, Cecil Bell, Roy Davidson, Llyod Davidson, Jim Davidson, Mabel Davidson, Archie Albee, Cecil Albee, William Albee, Alice Sims, Elbert Sims, Elda Sims, Dean Sims, Frank Ross, Ralph Clark, Gail Alspach, Wanda Alspach, Myron Shannon, Wilbur Shannon, Lola Terrill, Guy Terrill, Mildred Eplen, Fern Ques, -Ben Nelson, Julius “Chub” Nelson, Myrtle Herman, Harvey Herman, Walter Cramer, Lillian Cramer, Laurence Estes, Bryce Parker, Alice McAlavy, Cassie McAlavy, Henry Kupers, Willie Kupers, Winnie Kupers. Howard Drew (Principle)An October 5, 2019 article in the East Oregonian documented the Helix Advancement Partnership Network's (HAPN) efforts to preserve the building. The group acquired enough local community donations, along with local, state and federal grants to complete renovation of a “Community Room” that is adjacent to the existing library. Several phases of the project have been completed, including the replacement and upgrade of the existing windows. The building has 73 windows of varying sizes. HAPN wanted to maintain the historical look and feel of the building, and chose insulated aluminum-clad/wood frame windows. The funds were raised through local contributions, grants and donations. Another phase of the project will move and remodel the bathroom in the City Hall, making it ADA accessible and enhance and upgrade the local museum inside the City Hall.
Helix Baptist Church
The Helix Baptist Church building was constructed and organized in 1893 on the southwest corner of Harrison and Columbia. It was started by charter members of the Helix Christian Church: brother and sister A.D. Brooks, brother and sister L.E. Penland, and Minnie Bayse. In 1895 the Sunday School was organized; in 1896, weekly prayer meetings began; in 1898, the church was dedicated, and in 1900, a bell was purchased.The wood frame structure with bell tower was typical of architecture and construction of the late 1800s and is one of Helix’s oldest buildings. For most of its life, it was afiliated as a Baptist Church. The parsonage and gathering hall were built in the 1950s. Currently, the building serves as the Helix Community Church and offers weekly services and youth programs to the community.
Helix Milling Company
The Helix Mill opened in 1918. It was lost to a fire in 1968. The facility had a milling capacity of 400 barrels per day, and the bulk storage capacity of the four concrete tanks was 60,000 bushels. The Helix Flour mill was farmer-owned. The concrete building was used for a gym for a short time when school was held in the current city hall building. The area adjoining the flour mill to the north was flooded for ice skating before the mill was built.All that remains of the structure are the four circular concrete grain bins and the former PGG grain elevator..
Helix Natatorium (Community Swimming Pool)
The Helix Natatorium, as it was then called, was first built by local pioneer farmers using two or four horses and Fresno Scrapers. Construction was completed in 1916 and was one of the first public pools in Umatilla County. The land for the pool was donated by Ludwig Koepcke for a park. Some of the farmers who brought in their teams of horses and mules were Tom Cook, Ed Snapp, Ira Scott, Jim Jill, and Art Grover. The proverbial hat was passed at the pool hall to help pay for its construction. Soon, the pool was lined with cement and became a center of activity for the community.Still in use after many decades, the pool was last remodeled in 1976. The Helix Park and Recreation District is currently working on a new pool facility. Voters passed a bond measure in May 2022 which helped to raise $1.8 million to design and build a new public pool, splash pad, pump house, and improve the bathhouse and exterior restrooms, along with a refurbished sports court near the City Hall.
Railroad Section House
This home, which was once painted a distinctive red, was originally the boarding quarters for the foreman of the railroad crew for this section. The home was provided as a benefit of working with the railroad and featured bead board paneling.It was originally located just south of where the railroad depot was originally located, just off Harrison Street on the north edge of town.The home is currently a private residence.
Farmer's Mutual Helix Grain Elevator
To the northwest, you will be able to clearly see Helix's lone remaining iron-clad grain elevator. A significant change to Helix and surrounding areas was the switch from sacked grain to bulk grain made possible by new technologies. By the 1930's, Helix already had several large sack warehouses to store grain. Large crews were needed to collect thousands of 120 lb. grain sacks from the local fields, bring them to town, then unload them by hand into the warehouses. Large bulk grain elevators like this one built by the Farmer's Mutual Company changed the way that grain was processed. Farmers Mutual operated five elevators in the area and purchased wheat, barley, oats, and peas from local farmers. They eventually supplied seed wheat as well as grain storage services.The tall rectangular structure with a pitched roof is a form derived from the function of the grain elevating mechanism. The cribbed construction of stacked 2x4, 2x6, and 2x8 timbers spiked together proved to be effective in its ability to withstand the fluid pressures of grain circulating through the structure and the environmental pressures of weather pressing in from the outside.Between 1900 and 1950, wooden grain elevators were very common sights across all of rural America. Crib style elevators were the standard up to the 1960s when they began to be replaced by concrete structures. Eventually, Farmer’s Mutual was absorbed and operated by Pendleton Grain Growers, until they ceased operations.The elevator is currently the home of Alpine Boulder Company.
McKinney House and Clinic
This home, built around 1910, served as both the residence and medical office of Dr. William H. McKinney, one of Helix's two physicians. The photo of Dr. McKinney dates from 1920.The town’s lesser-known doctor practiced in Helix during the teens and 1920s and once practiced alongside Dr. John Griswold.The home was once referred to as the "Honeymoon House," because Dr. McKinney and his second wife were married in front of the dining room window. Various rooms in the home which now serve as bedrooms, once were examination rooms and had numbers above their doors.Currently, it is a private residence.
Original Helix Jail
This small jail building was moved here from its original site (today, behind the Helix City Shop) after prisoners attempted to destroy it by burning the door off it. A new concrete jail was built to replace it and this building became Dr. McKinney's woodshed.The building does not have a foundation and was built in the crib style where boards were laid face-to-face to form the walls.The jail building is now a storage shed for a private residence.
Grover House
Prominently visible in all of the old Helix panorama photos, the Grover House was initially owned by the Dale family. The house is among the oldest buildings in the city and still serves as a private residence.With a barn next to the house, Elmer and Jennie Dale owned and operated the Helix Dairy out of this property. The house is often referred to as the old Helix Hospital, but probably never really served in that capacity. More likely, the house served as an overflow for patients during the deadly flu pandemic of 1918 and 1919. Dr. Griswold and Dr. McKinney’s office would most likely have been much too small to house the large numbers of people who would have come down with the flu at that time. Later, the Grover family acquired the property and made it their home for many decades. The large home was equipped with many modern amenities, including indoor plumbing, telephone service, and electrical service.
End of Tour
Helix has maintained its small-town charm, with a population of around 200 residents and a strong sense of community. Today, Helix is known for its picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The town also hosts a number of annual events, including the Heart of the Country Rodeo and the Wheatstock Music Festival which help to bring the community together and celebrate the town's rich history.While Helix looks forward to the future, we also remember the past. Thank you for taking the time to take the Helix Historical Walking Tour.
