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

Great Northern Railway

1887 The Great Northern Came to Fort Benton

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

1. Great Northern Railway Marker

Inscription. Across the levee on the corner stood the two-story house built by the sheep man Paris Gibson who was the founder of Great Falls. He later became a promoter for James J. Hill's railroad. In 1887 while negotiating the entry of the railroad into Fort Benton, he ran afoul of the Conrad and Power brothers. Those Fort Benton merchants continually raised the price of land needed by the rail line to build along the river.
Exasperated, Gibson decided to build on top of the hill and stated that he would "see the grass grow in the streets of Fort Benton," and he almost did, However, the confrontation save the levee from ties, tracks, and trains and left Front Street with an unobstructed view of the river.

Erected by Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 47° 48.753′ N, 110° 40.215′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. It is on River Street near 8th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the river front pathway between Missouri Breaks Interpretive

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Center and the historic downtown business district. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Nez Perce Fight (within shouting distance of this marker); Whoop Up Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Coulson's Steamboat Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort LaBarge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Fort Campbell (about 500 feet away); Most Progressive in Montana (about 800 feet away); Cow Island Incident (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Little Shell Chippewa (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.

Great Northern Railway - 1887 The Great Northern Came to Fort Benton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

2. Great Northern Railway - 1887 The Great Northern Came to Fort Benton Marker

Captions: (upper left) Map of Chouteau County, Montana; (bottom left) Building up the Government Grade; (bottom center) Laying Track on the Prairie; (top right) Paris Gibson (L) & James J. Hill; (middle right) Teton Station.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

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