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

Steamboat Navigation

Photographed by Unknown, August 14, 2019

1. Steamboat Navigation Marker

Inscription. Just over the brow of this hill, nestled against the banks of the Missouri, is Fort Benton. It was the head of steamboat navigation on the Missouri, the world's innermost port. Below this point is a shelf in the river that prevented further passage. Along Front Street is a mile-and-a-half levee. From 1860 until the railroad arrived in 1887, most of the freight for the northwesters U.S. and Canada was unloaded on the levee. Come down the hill and walk along the Missouri, where those who came off the decks of steamboats began their lives in Montana.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 47° 48.892′ N, 110° 42.569′ W. Marker is in 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 is in Central Montana, in Missouri River Country,

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

and

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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); Fort Benton (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 kiosk overlooking the Missouri River .

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

2. Steamboat Navigation Marker

The Steamer DeSmet at Fort Benton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. The Steamer DeSmet at Fort Benton

The levee at Fort Benton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

4. The levee at Fort Benton

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 337 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.