Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Bloodiest Block in the West
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. Bloodiest Block in the West Marker
"It's a tough town. Walk in the center of the street and keep your mouth shut," Gunslingers walked this street; few earned a reputation but more earned eternity here than in other fabled western towns.
Indians were fair game. Their corpses dumped into the river started war and a massacre. Mose Solomon, saloon owner, eliminated two customers on the corner; Lou Marshall added Hinchley and several others gunned down on this street "won't be missed."
Poker was played with six-guns atop the table. Females from the brothels were as tough as the men. Madame Moustache brandished Colts to halt the landing of a steamboat carrying smallpox. Saloons and "houses" stayed open all night. The block was lined with barrooms, cathouses and gambling densso lawless it had to circled by a cavalry troop so a U.S. Marshal could serve warrants of five on its residents.
Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, Non-US.
Location. 47° 49.076′ N, 110° 40.015′ W. Marker
this page online
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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: McGraw's Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Cummings Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Benton Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); I.G. Baker Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire! Fire! (within shouting distance of this marker); Culbertson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Open Range Cattle (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific Hotel
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. Bloodiest Block in the West Marker
Captions: (top left) Eleanor DuMont, aka Madame Moustache; (bottom right) Bloodiest block in the West in 1867, open twenty-four hours a day where anything was legal during the Gold Rush days.
More about this marker. This marker is located in Fort Benton's riverside park.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
3. Bloodiest Block in the West Marker and Front Street
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,800 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
