Near Havre in Hill County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Guardhouse

Fort Assinniboine

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

1. Guardhouse Marker

Inscription. With its graceful dormer and full-length front porch supported by Tuscan columns, the front of this one-story, hipped-roof building looks like an attractive and comfortable residence. The back of the building, with its small, arched barred windows and nineteen-inch-thick exterior walls, reveals its true purpose: to house the fort’s prisoners. Completed in 1905 by contractors Frank Coombs and Duncan Brothers of Great Falls for $23,555, this well-detailed, state-of-the-art building replaced a smaller guard house. Its large cellblock could hold up to fifty prisoners, usually serving thirty-day sentences for such crimes as drunken behavior, insubordination, and going AWOL (absent without leave). During the day, the prisoners worked outside in chain gangs. At night they slept on the floor: the guardhouse did not provide beds or mattresses, but prisoners were permitted to bring blankets. When the fort closed, the Army donated the guardhouse to Havre for a jail. Distance made transporting the building impractical, but the city did recycle the cell bars, only to return them years later after construction of Havre’s current correctional

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facility.

Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 48° 29.91′ N, 109° 47.866′ W. Marker is near Havre, Montana, in Hill County. It is on Fort Circle near 82nd Avenue West (Assinniboine Road). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Havre MT 59501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Missouri River 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: Post Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers' Amusement Hall

Guardhouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

2. Guardhouse and Marker

The marker is to the right of the stairs.

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Assinniboine (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Assinniboine (about 300 feet away); John A. Burns (about 300 feet away); The Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Assinniboine (about 300 feet away); Fort Assiniboine (about 300 feet away); Library (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Havre.

More about this marker. This marker on the grounds of Fort Assinniboine.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

3. Guardhouse

The cells are in the basement. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

4. The cells are in the basement.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.