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

Coulson's Steamboat Offices

Coulson Steamboat Lines Largest Company of the Upper River

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

1. Coulson's Steamboat Offices Marker

Inscription. The Coulson Steamboat Headquarters once stood here. The Coulson Line was the largest early company on the upper river. It ran some of the most immense boats, like the Montana and the Dakota, that were over 250 feet long. Coulson dominated the river traffic in the 1860s-1870s.
Colonel George Clendenin came to Fort Benton as an agent for Coulson in 1877 and erected the building for offices and a warehouse in 1881. Struck by gold fever, Clendenin left shortly thereafter for Montana's last big strike in the Barker district of the Big Belt Mountains. Clendinin (sic) missed finding his fortune when he died in a cave-in in 1882. A boom town in the Neihart area was named for him that has since disappeared, along with Gold Run, Baker and Hughesville. In later years the Clendenin building served as a dance hall, law offices, lodge hall, brothels, and apartments before it was torn down.

Erected by Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 48.785′ N, 110° 40.191′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is on River Street near 11th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located

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on the river front pathway between Missouri Breaks Interpretive 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nez Perce Fight (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Northern Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Campbell (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whoop Up Trail (about 400 feet away); Fort LaBarge (about 600 feet away); Upriver Businesses (about 800 feet away); Stage Lines (about 800 feet away); Davidson and Moffitt Harness Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.

Coulson's Steamboat Offices - Coulson Steamboat Lines Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

2. Coulson's Steamboat Offices - Coulson Steamboat Lines Marker

Captions: (left) Montana - The largest boat on the river, Arrival 1872; (upper right) Colonel Clendinin (sic) with Coulson Freight, 1875; (lower right) Upper Level Coulson Warehouse, 1869.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020

3. Coulson's Steamboat Offices Marker

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 166 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.