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

Inscription. "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 dens–so 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 this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 47° 49.076′ N, 110° 40.015′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is on Front Street near 15th 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.

Other nearby markers. At least

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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 (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. 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.

Bloodiest Block in the West Marker and Front Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

3. Bloodiest Block in the West Marker and Front Street

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.