Near Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Mullan Road
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. Mullan Road Marker
Inscription.
Mullan Road. . Within a few steps of this sign the Mullan Road came up Helena Hill from Fort Benton. It wound its way over 600 miles to the head of navigation on the Columbia River at Fort Walla Walla. It was the first federal highway in the Northwest. Covered wagons, stagecoaches and freighters used this route to the gold bonanzas in the mountains of Montana and Idaho. Branches led to Helena, Bannack and Virginia City. The main road continued on west through Missoula and up the Clark's Fork to Spokane, before turning south through the Palouse to the Columbia.
Within a few steps of this sign the Mullan Road came up Helena Hill from Fort Benton. It wound its way over 600 miles to the head of navigation on the Columbia River at Fort Walla Walla. It was the first federal highway in the Northwest. Covered wagons, stagecoaches and freighters used this route to the gold bonanzas in the mountains of Montana and Idaho. Branches led to Helena, Bannack and Virginia City. The main road continued on west through Missoula and up the Clark's Fork to Spokane, before turning south through the Palouse to the Columbia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 47° 48.892′ N, 110° 42.569′ W. Marker is near Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is on U.S. 87 near County Highway 386, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Benton MT 59442, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This and six other markers are located at the Missouri River overlook.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. Missouri River overlook kiosk
University of Montana Library, circa 1880
3. Freight wagon at Fort Benton circa 1880s.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.