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

Chouteau County Courthouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

1. Chouteau County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Chouteau County was one of the nine original counties created February 2. 1865. At that time there was a sporting disregard for assessors, taxes and the law. For example, in 1872 when the jail burned, all the peace officers were in Canada trading whiskey to the Indians.
Taxes were first assessed in 1873 to the tune of $1172.55 for the county. The original courthouse, a block over on Main Street burned on January 5, 1883. The new construction was originally priced at $12,000 but, like government today, the ante was soon raided to $50,000.
Gus Senieur got the bid at $43,000 and the architects Kees and Fisk from Minneapolis designed the structure. The last brick was laid July 4, 1884 but it was not until September that everyone moved in. Some additions have been made to the rear but its integrity remains intact. It is the second oldest courthouse in Montana still in use.

Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1883.

Location. 47° 49.033′ N, 110° 40.267′ W.

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Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. It is on Franklin Street near 13th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1308 Franklin, 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: A different marker also named Chouteau County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Northern Montana (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stockmen's National Bank (about 700 feet away); Davidson and Moffitt Harness Shop (about 700 feet away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named St. Paul's Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away); Grand Union Hotel

1884 Chouteau County Courthouse Marker, inverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

2. 1884 Chouteau County Courthouse Marker, inverse

Captions: (top right) Chouteau County Jail – 1881; (bottom right) Built in 1884.

(about 800 feet away); Fort Benton Levee (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.

Chouteau County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

3. Chouteau County Courthouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

4. Chouteau County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Mid-distance view of the marker and courthouse. • Can you help?