Fort Benton in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
First Fire Engine House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
1. First Fire Engine House Marker
"Fire" was a cry dreaded by any Westerner, and early Fort Benton was no exception. Flimsy wooden buildings, haystacks, kerosene lamps and primitive stoves created major fire hazards. When city government was organized in 1883, the first steps in fire protection included this structure, built on contract by John Wilton for $1710. Later it doubled as the City Hall until 1966.
Chouteau Engine Company No. 1 organized, held practices, firemen's balls, and waited for the pumper that had been brought to Cow Island by steamboat. When freighters got around to bringing it to Fort Benton, the paint was peeling and a wheel was missing. Nevertheless, it was Fort Benton's pride.
The firemen repaired it, sat it on Mike Lynch's ferry boat, and tried to pump a stream of water over the rooster weathervane on the old Record Building a block away. It served faithfully, going second-hand to Lewiston and eventually returning to Fort Benton for restoration in 1988.
Erected by Fort Benton Community Improvement Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 47° 49.035′ N, 110° 40.046′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Benton Engine House (here, next to this marker); Fort Benton Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Building (within shouting distance of this marker); "George Montgomery: Rider of the Purple Sage" (within shouting distance of this marker); June 6, 1908 (within shouting distance of this marker); Stream Flow Monitoring (within shouting distance of this marker); Open Range Cattle (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific Hotel (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 located at the Fort Benton Visitors Center.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
2. First Fire Engine House Marker, inverse
Caption: (lower left) 4th of July 1885
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019
3. First Fire Engine House
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
