Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Fire! Fire!
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020
1. Fire! Fire! Marker
Inscription.
Fire! Fire!. . The threat of fire haunted Fort Benton's businessmen. They took several steps to minimize this risk before incorporating in 1883. A volunteer fire department of three companies of men was organized. Ten strategically located wells were placed along Front Street in 1880. The wells were lined with bricks and about fifteen feet deep. Water from the wells operated the new two-cylinder hand pumper and filled water troughs for thousands of animals used for hauling freight to all parts of the Northwest. In January 1883 the first true test of the system occurred; a fire burned two buildings before the blaze was contained. By 1888 Fort Benton had a municipal water works and an electric plant, the first in Montana. Water pipes, pumps and fire hydrants replaced the wells. Two wells were unmoved when the old sidewalks were removed in 2003 and are marked with a brick ring.
The threat of fire haunted Fort Benton's businessmen. They took several steps to minimize this risk before incorporating in 1883. A volunteer fire department of three companies of men was organized. Ten strategically located wells were placed along Front Street in 1880. The wells were lined with bricks and about fifteen feet deep. Water from the wells operated the new two-cylinder hand pumper and filled water troughs for thousands of animals used for hauling freight to all parts of the Northwest. In January 1883 the first true test of the system occurred; a fire burned two buildings before the blaze was contained. By 1888 Fort Benton had a municipal water works and an electric plant, the first in Montana. Water pipes, pumps and fire hydrants replaced the wells. Two wells were unmoved when the old sidewalks were removed in 2003 and are marked with a brick ring.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters.
Location. 47° 49.065′ N, 110° 40.042′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. It is on Front Street near 15th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1506 Front Street, 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cummings Building (a few steps from this
Note the circle of bricks behind the post on the right.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 22, 2020
3. Fire! Fire! Marker
Note the ring of bricks marking the location of one of the towns original fire wells.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
