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

I.G. Baker Home

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

1. I.G. Baker Home Marker

Inscription.
The original portion of this house, one of the oldest in Montana, was built for I.G. Baker in 1867. Early-day Fort Benton merchant Baker wanted a home, rather than the old fort for the birth of his expected child.

Constructed of rough-sawn lumber and hand-hewn beams, the house had adobe brick walls as much as three feet thick. The siding and porch were added in 1876 by W.G. Conrad, who bought out the Bakers in 1872.

Throughout the years military figures, political powers and powers-to-be were guests in this home. Among them was Acting Governor Thomas Francis Meagher who ate his final meal here before falling from the steamboat G.A. Thompson and drowning on July 2, 1867.

The last private owner William McLeish donated this historical building to the Fort Benton Community Improvement Association in 1969.

Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.

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

Location. 47° 49.132′ N, 110° 39.964′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Montana, in Chouteau County. It is on Front Street near 17th Street, 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 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 walking distance of this marker: Choteau House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named I.G. Baker Home (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Choteau House (a few steps from this marker); T.C. Power Dry Goods Store (within shouting distance of this marker); H.J. Wackerlin Hardware Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Francis Meager (within shouting distance of this marker); Drowning of the Governor (within

I.G. Baker Home Marker, inverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

2. I.G. Baker Home Marker, inverse

Captions: (top right) Issac G. Baker; (bottom right) Gov. Thomas F. Meagher.

shouting distance of this marker); T.C. Power Building (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.

I.G. Baker Home and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

3. I.G. Baker Home and Marker

I.G. Baker Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

4. I.G. Baker Home

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.