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

"George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage"

by Actor/Artist George Montgomery (1916-2000) and Artist Gary Schildt (1938- )

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

1. "George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage" Marker

Inscription.
George Montgomery, youngest of 15 siblings, was born on a homestead near Brady, Montana. Following graduation for Great Falls High School, and one quarter at the University of Montana, he headed for Hollywood. As a legendary Hollywood leading man, actor George Montgomery starred in 87 movies and the "Cimarron City" television series. A notable craftsman, he designed and built homes and made hand-crafted furniture. As a gifted sculptor of over 40 pieces, he created an historic bronze "Custer's Final Moments" © 1975, his second year of sculpting." *
*Information taken from autobiography The Years of George Montgomery © 1981.

Erected by The George Montgomery Foundation for the Arts.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 47° 49.047′ N, 110° 40.025′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and 15th Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Benton MT 59442, United States of

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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: June 6, 1908 (here, next to this marker); Stream Flow Monitoring (here, next to this marker); Open Range Cattle (a few steps from this marker); Culbertson House (a few steps from this marker); Fort Benton Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Old Fort Benton Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Pacific Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); First Fire Engine House (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.

Also see . . . Obituary: George Montgomery -- The Guardian.

"George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage" and Marker, just visible behind the statue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

2. "George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage" and Marker, just visible behind the statue.

At the University of Montana, where he majored in interior design, he boxed as a heavyweight and was also active in athletics. But he dropped out after a year and moved to Los Angeles to find work as a stuntman. (Submitted on November 8, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

"George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

3. "George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage"

George Montgomery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

4. George Montgomery

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,048 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on November 22, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4. submitted on November 8, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.