Discover librarianselected research resources on canadian history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. The first book to view the development of the canadian rockies from a maritime perspective, the life and times of the steamboat red cloud ties the missouri rivers commercial development with the opening of the canadian west and its most important communities, with the formation of the canadian northwest mounted police and with the river by. They lived and prospered in fort benton for more than 23 years. Called the birthplace of montana, fort benton is the oldest continuously. A romance ensued, and charles and alicia were married in fort benton in january 1881. Rather than work for the canadian government, wesley case spurns his fathers wishes and uses the last of his military pay to buy a ranch outside fort benton. Fort shaw 18671891 established in 1867 as camp reynolds by major william clinton and four companies of the th u. Offers a chronological timeline of important dates, events, and milestones in montana history. Fort whoopup was the largest and most notorious of them all. Still, fort benton is along the southern boundary of the hiline region. Its history spans every era in montanas development. The author wrote and wanted to publish certain things about people who were. The sad closure of the great fireside books not only lowered the cultural level of the electric city, but the closing passed without mention in the local press.
Frontier is a lively, bloody yarn about canadas fur trade wars. Fort benton museums and heritage complex, fort benton, montana. Trading post at fort benton national historic landmark. The area was first explored by lewis and clark in 1805. Fort benton, the historic official head of steamboat navigation on the missouri river, is located on the west bank of the river in northcentral montana, about thirtyfour miles northeast of great falls and eightyfour miles south of the canadian border. My family owns a copy of this book with only a few pages and the covers missing. Ft benton was 2,385 muddy, treacherous, watery miles from st louis. The trail from fort benton to fort whoopup became a major route for bull trains carrying freight north and buffalo robes south. I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library. The son of a wealthy canadian timber baron, former mounted policeman wesley case relocates to the montana territory in 1876, where he purchases a ranch near the roughandtumble frontier outpost of fort benton not far from the site of custers last stand.
Find best sellers about civil war, american legends, breweries and wineries, and more. While problems with canada over cattle and war on terrorism policies. The fort assinniboine preservation association, inc. Rather than work for the canadian government, wesley case spurns his fathers wishes and uses the last of his military pay to buy a ranch outside fort benton, in. Soon there were more than fifty trading posts in what is now southern alberta, with names like slide out, standoff, kipp, and robbers roost. I have also included a bibliography of interesting canadian books books that.
When you visit chaptersindigo via our website links and make any purchase, canadas history receives a commission that supports our programs. The history of fort benton, head of navigation on the upper missouri, spans every era of montana history. History of the missouri river i find a mistake repeated, again. The steamboat postal history of dakota territory western. Canada and its history history, it is said, is a great teacher. A foundation, hudsons bay company history foundation funded through the tax savings resulting from the donation, was established to support the operations of the hbc archive as a division of the archives of manitoba, along with other activities and programs. Infantry along the south bank of the sun river near the present day town of fort shaw, cascade county, montana. On the stand off bottom were two stores owned by jimmy murray and fred pace. The original fort whoopup, officially entitled fort hamilton, was built by american traders from fort benton, montana. In 1867 power travelled up the missouri river via steamboat to fort benton, montana territory, where he established the t. Get instant criminal history, financial history, addresses and contact info. Whiskeyrunnin whoopup trail linking fort benton, montana.
While a great civil war raged far to the east, fort benton emerged a hustling commercial center, abandoning. Entering the big gate in the wall facing the river, one found on the right the carpenter shop. The fort benton national historic landmark was designated in 1961 without specifying a. Chamberlin is professor emeritus at the university of toronto and has written several nonfiction books. The fort benton historic district is a national historic landmark district encompassing the historic waterfront areas of fort benton, montana. Within four years, a stately, impressive complex of some one hundred brick, stone, and wood buildings was clustered around the parade ground. Canadian soil, was brought to trial in winnipeg, he was acquitted for lack of evidence. The steamboat played an integral role in developing the early fur trade of the. If the governor general had refused his request, he could have replaced her with a more compliant one, making the case to the queen that the people of canada were opposed in great numbers to a coalition replacing his government. Join facebook to connect with corey walker and others you may know. Abercrombie established the fort bearing his name on the flat bottomland of an ox bow loop of the red river.
Explore the cultural and natural history of the american west at the fort benton. On july 25, 1859, the post was abandoned, but was reoccupied in july 1860. There is also a jerry potts elementary school in northwest calgary. In 1869, jerry potts guided john healy, alfred hamilton, and a handful of american whisky traders from fort benton to a place on the oldman river. Only history must relate that fred pace was the most vociferous about the other party who had not, according to fred, a shred of respectability to stand upon. Canadian historythe whiskey traders and the nwmp wikibooks. They owned their own steamboats and oxdrawn freight wagons and plied their trade all over the region and up into canada. Sisters of charity of providence in fort benton, montana.
The steamboat postal history of dakota territory if the missouri river was the first true highway in the exploration and settlement of dakota territory, then the steamboat was its first automobile. Founded in 1846 as a furtrading post, it is montanas oldest continuous settlement. With the arrival of the railroad at moorhead and fargo, fort abercrombie waned in importance. Stephen harper had said he would use all legal means, and what john baird suggested was an option the prome minister was considering. Fort benton by ken robison arcadia publishing books. The story of old fort benton and the project to reconstruct the fort a member of the old forts trail an international historic trail. The hotels history began in 1882, just 36 years after fort benton was founded, and 7 years before montana became a state.
The city of lethbridge, alberta, canada, and the town of fort macleod, have boulevards named in potts honour. It led indians, traders, and cattlemen into a great interior market stretching northward from the missouri river in montana to the bow river valley in the canadian province of alberta. American whiskey traders from fort benton, montana had established a fort near what is now lethbridge alberta some years earlier. Chamberlin is professor emeritus at the university of toronto and has written several non. The significant role they played in settlement of the american and canadian west accorded them national and international importance in the history of both nations. According to the accounts in the historical society of montana. Fort benton birthplace of montana page 2 legends of america. Jul 29, 2019 those who want to learn more about him and others who played a role in lethbridges first mercantile enterprise can check a number of local history books at the forts welcome centre and gift. Whiskey followed gold, and infamous trails were forged into canada, including the whoopup trail into. Indian relocation, resulting in the cherokee trail of tears, will always be a black page in this countrys history. Whoopup trail in montana and alberta, canada history rv life.
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. In 1965 fort benton was designated a national historic landmark. Constructed visions of an anglo canadian west edmonton. This fort was constructed in 1869 about 6 kilometres south of the presentday replica reconstruction that stands in indian battle park, at the forks of the st. Edward chamberlin is a nonfiction book about the authors grandfather, john cowdry who befriended the legendary blackfoot warrior crop eared wolf. In his 1926 book, schultz has his scout, jackson describe fort benton of the late 1850s.
The actual construction of the military road from fort walls walla to fort benton was deferred until 18591860, when the expedition was placed in the immediate charge of lieutenant mullan, and the mullan road will live in history, although the iron horse has paralleled it for the greater part of its length. In the spring of 1860, the head of navigation on the upper missouri river was ft benton in the montana territory. The history of the west is a rich theme in fort benton. I have yet to read a history book about canada, i cannot say that anymore. Fort benton birthplace of montana legends of america. Jack lepley, the keeper of fort benton s history, has died the 89yearold spent more than 30 years at the helm of the river and plains society. Alicia ann was born in kalispell in 1892, and came to the new family home as a threeyearold toddler. For much of its year history, the bar u ranch can claim to have been one of the most famous ranches in canada.
They built a dozen trading forts along the length of the upper missouri during the years of 1831 to 1846 using only the simplest of tools. Fort benton s river and plains society has recently had two useful reminders of just how close our shared regional history really is. He possibly had greenhows map in his possession, but more importantly, he had heard an actual description of marias pass from the piegan chief little dog. Montana history timeline important dates, events, and milestones in montana history. Au press, 2008, by walter hildebrandt pdf with commentary at au press. Mounted police, to destroy illegal whiskey trade and lawlessness caused by the whoopup trail operation from fort benton into canadian northwest territories.
But the message of the police action was clear to all concerned. During his early years in fort benton, charles met and married a blackfeet indian woman whose name was singsinthemiddle. Fort benton museums and heritage complex home facebook. Its reputation is firmly based on the historical role that the ranch has played, its size and longevity, and its association with some of the remarkable people who have helped develop the cattle business and build the canadian west. The citys waterfront area along the upper missouri river was the most important aspect of its 19thcentury growth. Indian trade guns were not as important to the plains and southwest indians as they had been to the eastern indians. Brian brennan has written twelve books about the social history of western canada. I enjoy reading good history books which tell a good story, however i have yet to read a history book about canada, i cannot. Founded as a fur trading post at the head of navigation of the missouri river, it was prior the advent of the railroad one of the nations largest inland ports, playing a pivotal role in the development of the american and canadian west. A fleet of three steamers pushed away from the landing at st louis for their historic voyage to ft benton.
Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. Search our online phone book to find phone numbers, addresses, and more. List of books and articles about canadian history online. The center houses a substantial collection of unpublished archival records of individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and events. From fort benton on the great muddy to fort macleod on the oldman, the trail with the rowdy name wrote its history in whisky, guns, furs, and pioneer enterprise. From his initial montana headquarters at fort benton, stevens determined that a search for marias pass was imperative. On this he based his decision to locate a usable pass in that area. Fort benton today is a national historic landmark because of its importance to navigation on the missouri river. An untold story of friendship, trust, and broken promises in the old west by j. What does canadian history have to say to the people it has shaped. A history of fort benton first edition edition by john g.
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. On thursday, august 18, our overholser historical research center ohrc hosted three different canadian researchers working on historical projects that connect fort benton and western canada. French history canadian history largest countries countries of the world fur trade western canada hudson bay mountain man old west. It was built at the height of fort bentons prosperity and the steamboat era on the upper missouri river. A good man ebook calgary public library bibliocommons. I have found evidence that the first was the constitution in october of 1817.
Uncategorized canadian history, history, north west mounted policce, the great march of 1874 on may 3, 1873, prime minister macdonald introduced a bill in the house of commons, which called for the creation of a 300member mounted force to police the n. Historical fiction set in canada a list of books that are set in any given historical period of canadian history. Frequent massacres darkly stain the pages of western history. This article originally appeared in the aprilmay 2016 issue of canadas history. The independence was not the first steamboat into the missouri river as the history books tell us. Fort assinniboine, the largest military post constructed in montana, was established in 1879. From what i remember, there were publishing problems due to law suits. The significant role they played in settlement of the american and canadian west accorded them. The town is a haven for history buffs as well as recreation enthusiasts seeking solitude and the unique beauty found along the upper missouri national wild and scenic river. 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. A reconstructed fort benton is located on the original site and includes exhibits related to the whoopup trail and other area history. 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. They dragged the keel boats and the mackinaws up the river, living on only dried meat and occasional fresh game. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
Harwood on the a little montana history, fort benton, montana, site. This collection was compiled by eleanor luxton, a glenbow museum staff member, who was hired from 1956 to 1961 to gather information pertaining to southern alberta pioneers, northwest mounted police nwmp, presbyterian missionaries, fort whoop up, whiskey traders, fort benton, newspaper and newspaper editors, first nations of canada of canada, and southern alberta history in general. Mar 01, 2007 fort benton today is a national historic landmark because of its importance to navigation on the missouri river. Many forts, such as the infamous fort whoopup, were established around the southern canadian plains, and the traders began to illegally trade whiskey to native peoples. Fort benton, a national historic landmark and the oldest settlement in montana, was established in the 1840s as a trade hub along the banks of the missouri river. Hamilton built fort hamilton in 1869 as a trading post. Discover the best books online or at your local bn bookstoreshop over 6 million books and 4. Fort bentons waterfront area was designated as a national historic landmark in 1961. By ken robison on rare occasions something happening in fort benton s little colony, great falls, will warrant an appearance in this blog.
Fort benton, the head of navigation on the missouri river, is known as the birthplace of montana. 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. Nov 20, 2019 the whoopup trail was a trade route between fort benton, northeast of great falls, montana and fort macleod in alberta, canada. This led to widespread alcoholism among the native peoples, which eventually caused poverty, disease, malnutrition, and death. The 8th grade history teacher here in fort benton montana mid 1960s, mr. A former newspaper columnist, he lives and works in calgary. Jerry potts is buried at fort macleod with the rank of special constable in the northwest mounted police. The significant role they played in settlement of the american and canadian west. The fort, called fort whoopup, traded with the natives for hides in exchange for guns and whisky. Bull trains regularly carried supplies from fort benton, on the missouri river, across. Fort benton is a town in and the county seat of chouteau county.
Museum of the northern great plains fort benton 2020. Books about montana and the west, pictorial histories publishing. The canadian government formed the northwest mounted police in an effort to prevent the use of whiskey in trading with natives. Fort abercrombie history state historical society of. Fort benton while the arkansas was stranded in bismarck with a. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. Jun 30, 2017 in 1869, jerry potts guided john healy, alfred hamilton, and a handful of american whisky traders from fort benton to a place on the oldman river. To create public interest through education, tours, promotion, and historical presentations. It became an important route for miners from both directions going into the interior of idaho, and north to canada. During the 1870s there were many independent companies trading whiskey to the native peoples of the southwest part of the northwest territories. There, the whisky traders built fort whoopup, the notorious whisky fort whichs calamitous traffic, in essence, became the main reason for the formation of the north west mounted police.