Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Fort Benton Levee
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. Fort Benton Levee Marker
On June 14, 1869 nine sternwheelers moored along this bank, unloading whiskey, gold pans, salt, bacon, boot and miners. Ox teams hauled the freight to faraway points. Wells Fargo coaches took miners to Helena for $25, fights with the Blackfoot were free. Six hundred mountain boats (since they came nearly to the Rockies) docked at Fort Benton from 1860 to 1890. Steamboats supplied the U.S. cavalry, the Indians they hunted, Canadian Mounties, and whiskey-runners. Benton merchants were plumb impartial about business. They purveyed their goods from posts at Fort Whoop-up, Qu'Appelle, Last Chance Gulch and other places with just ordinary names.
One spring before the first boat, tobacco sweepings were sold to eager residents at a buck a pipeful. On a fall day in '66 armed miners loaded a wagon full of gold dust onto the Luella that was bound for St. Louis.
Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shep's Vigil (here, next to this marker); Grand Union Hotel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Grand Union Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Stockmen's National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Benton Engine House (within shouting distance of this marker); First Fire Engine House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Northern Montana (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.
More about this marker. This marker is located in Fort Benton's riverside park.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. Fort Benton Levee Marker
75% of freight for the Northwest was unloaded here
(picture on left) Fort Benton levee 1868
(picture on left) Fort Benton levee 1868
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
3. Fort Benton Levee Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer
4. Fort Benton - The Beginning of Montana
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
