It was built at the height of fort benton s prosperity and the steamboat era on the upper missouri river. Listed on the national register of historic places and elegantly restored to its 1882 splendor, the grand union hotel is located in the center of fort bentons historic district. Baker house, old engine house, grand union hotel, wells fargo office, and power mercantile. Canoeing in the wild and scenic upper missouri river wilderness.
Over the next century, the once luxurious hotel would go through a series of owners, declining all along the way. Apr 12, 2020 come ring in the new year with an elegant room and dinner package. Fort benton, montana is a city in and the county seat of chouteau county, montana, united states. If you enjoy unique historical hotels then you are going to love the grand union hotel in ft. Its opening in 1882 came at the end of the steamboat era when fort benton was still an unchallenged hub. Fort benton birthplace of montana page 2 legends of america. But it has a fierce and impressive history and is a must see in montana. From fort benton, the whoopup headed northwest to the midway station, also called lucille or froggies stopping place, in the presentday town of conrad. Fort bentons beautifully restored hotel, the grand union, once welcomed travelers to the gateway of the northwest, offering them a luxurious refuge before they set out for less civilized destinations. The hotel was known as the finest hotel between st. The grand union hotel is a historic hotel in fort benton, montana. Grand union hotel places you next to fort benton bridge and within a 5minute walk of chouteau county courthouse. The citys waterfront area along the upper missouri river was the most important aspect of its 19thcentury growth. The hotel offers twenty seven exquisitely renovated luxurious rooms.
Grand union hotel 1 grand union sq fort benton, mt hotels. New book shares many pictures from fort bentons history. Historic photo of the union hotel in fort benton, date unknown. The site of historic fort benton is a national landmark. Fort benton museums and heritage complex, fort benton, montana. Fort benton calls itself the birthplace of montana and its recorded history goes back to the 1840s, further than any other town in montana except, depending on whos arguing, stevensville. Grand union hotel 1 grand union sq fort benton mt 59442. Jun 19, 2019 today, fort benton is a quiet little town with a population of around 1600. None of the pictures i took of the beautiful grand union hotel in fort benton really came out. Book hotels and other accommodations near historic old fort benton and missouri breaks national monument interpretive center today. The grand union hotel is located on the missouri river, in downtown fort benton. Museum of the northern great plains central montana.
In the meantime, the old fort benton post had completely fallen into ruins by 1900. Built at the height of fort benton s prosperity and the steamboat era on the upper missouri river, the grand union hotel was once proclaimed the finest hotel between st. An inaugural ball was held in 1882, and the hotel celebrated its 125th year in 2007. There are a variety of museums, the blockhouse of fort benton, the i. Fort benton is a great little town nestled on the banks of the missouri river, about 40 south of us highway 2 and about 40 miles to the northwest of great falls, montana technically speaking, i guess fort benton would not be. Take comfort from ghoulish creatures and freakish things in the grand union hotel and union grille.
Baker house, pacific hotel, grand union hotel, built in 1882, you can still stay there, the culbertson house, and many more historic buildings. Earn free nights and get our price guarantee booking has never been easier on hotels. The grand union hotel, built in 1882 and since restored, is another reason for visitors to include fort benton in their plans. The hotel s history began in 1882, just 36 years after fort benton was founded, and 7 years before montana became a state. Only the crumbling northeast blockhouse and part of the adobe wall remained of the fort. Fort benton museums and heritage complex home facebook. Fort benton historic district runs from the riverfront, along front street, and includes the levee and fort benton bridge. According to the united states census bureau, the city has a total area of 2. Search for the cheapest hotel deal for grand union hotel in fort benton. Spend time appreciating the historic sites, and checking out the local cuisine in fort benton.
Today, fort benton is a quiet little town with a population of around 1600. Technically speaking, i guess fort benton would not be considered part of the true montana hiline. The grand union hotel 1 grand union sq, fort benton, mt. Top 10 hotels in fort benton, montana cancel free on most.
Civil war, fort benton is one of the oldest settlements in the american west. You can take a journey through the history of fort benton in the pages of the new book by local historian ken robison. Stay at this businessfriendly hotel in fort benton. Fort benton is a city in and the county seat of chouteau county, montana that was established in 1846, making it the oldest settlement in the state. A portion of the city was designated as a national historic landmark district in 1961. Popular attractions fort benton bridge and chouteau county courthouse are located nearby. But, as the hotel is part of fort bentons history, i had to put up what i had. Top 10 hotels in fort benton, montana cancel free on. It was built as a luxury hotel prior to the expansion of the railroads to helena and great falls. See more ideas about montana, big sky country and montana homes. Here is a place worth a long drivefor there is so much to see and explore in this mid19th century montana place. Legend has it that a drunken cowhand once rode his horse into the hotel and up the main staircase before he was shot and killed by the bar manager. Haunted places in fort benton, montana haunted places. Book your hotel in fort benton and pay later with expedia.
The museum has 30,000 square feet of exhibition space and a village from the homestead era of the 1920s. Grand union hotel, fort benton established by frenchamerican fur traders auguste and pierre chouteau jr. The grand union hotel, built in 1882, is home to several ghosts. Fort benton is a great little town nestled on the banks of the missouri river, about 40 south of us highway 2 and about 40 miles to the northwest of great falls, montana. Grand union hotel in fort benton, montanas historic district, courtesy wikipedia. Oct 30, 2015 grand union hotel, fort benton established by frenchamerican fur traders auguste and pierre chouteau jr. Tucked away in a valley on the missouri river and surrounded by high bluffs, fort benton has served as the perfect gateway to montana adventure for nearly two hundred years. Explore the cultural and natural history of the american west at the fort benton museums and heritage complex. Fort benton is located 36 miles north of great falls and 70 miles south of havre on highway 87 on the corner of 14th and front street. Mar 01, 2007 no trip to fort benton is complete without spending some time walking along the missouri river and a meal, or stay, at the grand union hotel. Great falls is well served by delta, northwest, horizon and big sky airways. One of the strangest incidents was when a cowboy tried to ride his horse up the main staircase and was killed by the manager of the bar. This grand event books quickly so make your plans early enough to stay in one of our luxurious rooms.
Book grand union hotel, fort benton on tripadvisor. We will also have a relaxing riverside breakfast the next morning. Moreover, a sidetrip off the hiline down to fort benton is a worthy diversion, as fort benton has a great downtown, a scenic setting and is overflowing with history. Fort benton is known for its historical sites, museums, and monuments. No trip to fort benton is complete without spending some time walking along the missouri river and a meal, or stay, at the grand union hotel. The following 60 files are in this category, out of 60 total. Fort benton birthplace of montana page 2 legends of. Grand union hotel reception venues fort benton, mt. Fort benton provides portal to montanas history montana. However, today, it has been restored to its former luxury and continues. Fur traders established a fort at the site a generation before the montana gold rushes of the 1860s making fort benton the oldest town in. Receptions for up to 100 people can be accommodated in the lewis and clark room and union grille restaurant. Established in 1846, fort benton is the oldest settlement in montana.
It highlights the important role fort benton played in the settlement of the american west as a trading post, military fort and the head of steamboat navigation on the missouri river. The old northeast bastion is a mute reminder of the days when all of montana was an unexplored wilderness, inhabited only by the tribes of the northern plains. Search for grand union hotel discounts in fort benton with kayak. Kayak searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find and book the hotel deal at grand union hotel that suits you best. Road warrior candy moulton lives and writes in encampment, wyoming, or anywhere else she can find a place to open the laptop and work. This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total. If you enjoy local history, its impossible not to fall in love with fort benton. The book, entitled fort benton, is part of a postcard history series, and is full of postcard images of fort benton and the surrounding area. More than 100 years of history are on display in the hotel and in historic fort benton. Take in the local culture of fort benton at missouri breaks national monument interpretive center and historic old fort benton. Still, fort benton is along the southern boundary of the hiline region. Staying at the grand gave us a feel for the history of fort benton.
Listed on the national register of historic places and elegantly restored to its 1882 splendor, the grand union hotel is located in the center of fort benton s historic district. T he remaining monument to the old fur trading days of fort benton stands on the banks of the missouri river. Lots of bikers were in fort benton, and the two rv gypsies admired their wheels. Fort benton birthplace of montana legends of america. Enjoy a view of the missouri river and park from many of our rooms. The businessfriendly grand union hotel also features gift shopsnewsstands, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and an elevator. Choose from our deluxe single with a queen size bed, deluxe double with two queen or two full size beds, junior suite or our master suite. The citys waterfront area, the most important aspect of its 19thcentury growth, was designated the fort benton historic district, a national historic landmark, in 1961. Instead, fort benton is submerged beneath the amber waves, in a deep cut made by the wide missouri. Order online tickets tickets see availability directions. The grand union hotel provides 26 guest rooms all of which have been exquisitely restored. Parks department, and the montana state historic preservation office, the grand union hotel reopened its doors on its 117th anniversary on november 2, 1999. Drawn from the heart of montana, our team is motivated, energetic and fun. Not only is it called the birthplace of montana because of its historical significance, but it also happens to be the home of the grand union hotel, which dates all the way back to 1882, seven years before montana became a.
Keith edgerton teaches early american and montana history, and environmental. Construction began in 1881, and it was completed in 1882. Fort benton is a national historic landmark, and for good reason. Start your day off right with a free continental breakfast, served each morning from 7. The hotel can host wedding ceremonies for up to 50 people in the grand lobby or lewis and clark room. It is truly difficult to wrap your head around it now, but there was a time when fort benton, montana, was as wild and wicked as any gunslinging town in the west has ever been. Building outside the fort became commonplace, including the still existing i. The site has undergone many dramatic changes that have affected its integrity since the fort was abandoned in 1881.
Sun dried adobe bricks were not able to stand up to the ravages of montanas weather and by the 1940s only the preserved northeast bastion and a partial wall from the. Dealing a mortal blow to fort benton, the grand union hotel failed in early 1884. It is about their lives, their culture and their work. The grand union is the oldest hotel in montana and one of the most haunted places in fort benton. Another railroad era hotel that has gone through various restorations before meeting a happy conclusion is the magnificent grand union hotel and its bar restaurant in fort benton. It tells the story of three generations of farmers from 1908 until 1980. The bloodiest block in the west montana backroading. Courtesy montana historical society photograph collection. The history of fort benton and the upper missouri river region from 1800 to 1900 is yours to explore at this museum in fort benton. Fort benton is a city in and the county seat of chouteau county, montana, united states. While youre in town, dont miss out on other sights including fort benton bridge. The grand union hotel provides the ideal setting for your intimate wedding or reception. Get travel information on fort benton, and find deals on montana hotels, airfare, and vacations.