Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
T.C. Power & Bro.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. T.C. Power & Bro. Marker
Across the street stood the first two stores of the T.C. Power Company, the third became the Pioneer Lodge. T.C. Power stepped off the Yorktown about this spot on June 14, 1867 with a tiny stock of merchandise bought "on jawbone," but with plans as flexible as the wild frontier. John became the "& Bro." in 1869. When the Blackfoot went north, Power posts followed to tap the lucrative robe trade. Their big freight outfits supplied white settlers across the region.
In 1875 Power bought the Benton as the flag ship of the upper Missouri's greatest steamboat line. The Block P between her stacks, and on a dozen other boats, became as well-known to Montanans as the insignias of the Robert E. Lee and the Natchez on the Mississippi. T.C. Power parlayed his start in Fort Benton into wealth, a seat in the U.S. Senate and a noteworthy place in regional history.
Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 47° 49.163′ N, 110° 39.924′ W. Marker is in Fort Benton, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and 17th Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. T.C. Power Building (here, next to this marker); Mullan Wagon Road (a few steps from this marker); Drowning of the Governor (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Francis Meager (within shouting distance of this marker); H.J. Wackerlin Hardware Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Keelboat Mandan (within shouting distance of this marker); T.C. Power Dry Goods Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Choteau House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Benton.
More about this marker. This marker is in Fort Benton's riverside park.
Also see . . . Power family photograph collection., 1872-1945, Bibliographical Note -- Archives West. T. C. Power's firm was ideally located. It traded with residents of the locality, the military garrison, and Indian tribes of the region. As head of navigation on the Missouri, Fort Benton also offered unique advantages of supply and served as the hub of a freighting network to the towns and camps of the isolated Territory. Power rapidly exploited his situation and,
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. T.C. Power & Bro. Marker
Captions: (left) New Brick Building - 1882 by Brian Morger; (top right) Their first store built in 1867; (lower right) The Power brothers, John (top) and Thomas.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
3. T.C. Power & Bro. Building and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
4. T.C. Power & Bro. Building
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer
5. Thomas C. Power
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 6, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
