Sometimes moving can be the pits.

For the Montana Heritage Commission, the pits were literal during a recent move to Reeder’s Alley.

During upgrades on wiring in their new building, a cut in the floor revealed two pits, which are thought to have been used as either wells or cold storage.

Under the building, formerly the Stonehouse restaurant, sit two pits, about 5-feet deep and lined with stones. One comes complete with a ladder.

“The word got out and then we had everyone from friends to uncles start knocking on the door. This could be our tourist attraction,” said Paul Reichert, executive director of the Montana Heritage Commission.

“Historic buildings after all this time and use still have things to reveal to us,” Reichert added.

The Montana Heritage Commission manages historic sites, including Reeder’s Alley and the Pioneer Cabin, in addition to Virginia City and Nevada City.

The building, which back in the day was four apartments that housed miners, was built in about 1880, according to Ellen Baumler, interpretive historian for the Montana Historical Society. Those apartments are nestled next to about 25 others, which now also house offices and businesses.

While Baumler said it is not known what exactly the pits were used for, she has a few ideas.

“I like to think it was prohibition related,” she said, adding that the building is right up the road from a row of former “female boarding” houses, which was also known as the red light district.

Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com