Near Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Fur Trade Posts
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. Fur Trade Posts Marker
Inscription.
Fur Trade Posts. . As you look across the Missouri, on the third bottom were two fur posts within several hundred yards of one another. Fort Cotton, built in 8142 by the Union Fur Company, existed only two years before it was abandoned. Fort Lewis was built by Alexander Culbertson for the American Fur Company in 1845. Its tenure was also only two years before it was dismantled and moved down river where it became Fort Benton. Both posts were built for robe trade with the Piegan of the Blackfoot nation. Fort Lewis was named for Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, in this area from 1804 to 1806. Fur traders soon followed, opening the Northern Plains to trade and settlement.
As you look across the Missouri, on the third bottom were two fur posts within several hundred yards of one another. Fort Cotton, built in 8142 by the Union Fur Company, existed only two years before it was abandoned. Fort Lewis was built by Alexander Culbertson for the American Fur Company in 1845. Its tenure was also only two years before it was dismantled and moved down river where it became Fort Benton. Both posts were built for robe trade with the Piegan of the Blackfoot nation. Fort Lewis was named for Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, in this area from 1804 to 1806. Fur traders soon followed, opening the Northern Plains to trade and settlement.
Location. 47° 48.892′ N, 110° 42.569′ W. Marker is near Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is on U.S. 87 near Interstate 386, on the right when traveling north. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mullan Road (here, next to this marker); Fort Benton (here, next to this marker); Steamboat Navigation (here, next to this marker); Chouteau County
More about this marker. This and six other markers are located at the kiosk overlooking the Missouri River.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. Fur Trade Posts Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
