in what would become Bannack further fueled Fort Benton’s growth as those seeking their fortunes and others that would provide them with the goods they needed passed through the town. The 30-year era of the steamboat ended in 1890 when the railroad arrived, Morger said. What remains of that history helps bring people there today. The fort is being reconstructed and several of its buildings now help tell this story of the town’s past. “When you drive up, it looks like a fort,” said Sharalee Smith, a member of the board of trustees for the River and Plains Society in Fort Benton. Buffalo hides, beads, Hudson Bay blankets, pots and pans are all part of the trade store’s character that greets visitors, she said. Blackfeet tribal elders were brought to the old fort to help with the interpretation of the trade store’s history, Smith said. The Museum of the Upper Missouri, the state of Montana’s Museum of the Northern Great Plains, Homestead Village, The Hornaday Smithsonian Buffalo Gallery, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Interpretive Center, Joel F. Overholser Historical Research Center, and the Schwinden Library and Archives are destinations for visitors and historical researchers alike. What there is to see at these museums and destinations includes the rifle Chief Joseph used for his surrender, which is on display at the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Interpretive Center, the 5 millionth International Harvester Co. Farmall tractor at the Museum of the Northern Great Plains, the bell and telegraph from the steamboat Far West and the Hornaday Smithsonian bison. There’s so much to see that admission tickets to the town’s museums and attractions are valid for two days, Smith said. This is also the Montana town with a life-size bronze memorial
KURT WILSON photos, Missoulian
Once known as “the bloodiest block in the West” for the rowdy behavior and the number of gunfights during the steamboat era, Fort Benton’s Front Street is much quieter these days.
to a sheepherder’s dog. and a street dance. Shep, as the dog was The parade along Front named, kept his vigil for Street begins at 11 a.m. on more than five years at Saturday, which is filled the train station after with activities such as seeing his owner’s body open houses and tours of loaded on a train in 1936 museums, entertainment, for delivery to relatives another street dance and back East. The dog met fireworks that night. four trains each day Sample the biscuits and until its death in hopes gravy breakfast on Sunday of the sheepherder’s and know your purchase return. will help fund repairs to the The Grand Union town’s swimming pool. Hotel, built in 1882 and But if you’re looking A longhorn, sculpted from horseshoes welded together, since restored, is anfor something a little more low-key or planning a visit other reason for visitors grazes in a Fort Benton yard. at another time of the year, to include Fort Benton there’s always the opportunity in their plans. town this year is its 40th annual to sit on one of the benches and The hotel was known as the summer celebration held from just watch the Missouri River as it finest hotel between St. Louis and Friday, June 23 through Sunday, passes by. Seattle, Morger said. June 25, according to the town’s A vacation to Montana without And the Grand Union is the website. place to stay, Smith said, if visitors Friday’s activities include a pig a stop in Fort Benton wouldn’t be nearly as fun, Smith said. “If peoare lucky enough to be able to get a roast lunch, an ice-cream social, room there. concerts by the city band, a comple want to see a really pretty little Among what’s planned for the town, Fort Benton is it.” munity pot luck and pie auction
SPRING/SUMMER 2018 R E D I S C O V E R M O N TA N A 65