Near Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Fort Benton

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

1. Fort Benton Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1846 as a fur post, Fort Benton is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Montana. From its palisaded walls grew the most important transportation center in the Northwest. Trails led to all points of the compass, carrying goods and supplies to the U.S. and Canada. Steamboats docked at Fort Benton's levee. Freight was loaded into giant wagons pulled by hundreds of mules and oxen to faraway places in Idaho, Washington, and Alberta. When the railroads crossed Montana and Alberta in the early 1880's, the town ended as a transportation center but the area continued to prosper with cattle, sheep and wheat.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 48.892′ N, 110° 42.569′ W. Marker is near Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. It is on U.S. 87 near County Road 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.

Regionally, this marker

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is in Central Montana, in Missouri River Country,

and specifically in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mullan Road (here, next to this marker); Steamboat Navigation (here, next to this marker); Chouteau County (here, next to this marker); Lewis and Clark Trail (here, next to this marker); Fur Trade Posts (here, next to this marker); Whoop-up Trail (here, next to this marker); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.

More about this marker. This and six other markers are located at the Missouri River overlook.

Missouri River Overlook Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

2. Missouri River Overlook Kiosk

Fort Benton, circa 1870 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. Fort Benton, circa 1870

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 458 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.