Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Pacific Coast Business Directory Gazetteer & Business Directory of Montana Territory pub. H. G. Langley, San Francisco, CA 1876-1878 CHOTEAU COUNTY. - Organized in 1866. Bounded north by the British Possessions, east by Dawson or Big Horn, south by Meagher, and west by Lewis and Clarke and Deer Lodge. Area, 26,425 square miles. Population, 1,000. Assessed valuation of property in 1874, $600,000. County seat, Fort Benton. Principal town; Sun River City. The county is of vast extent, and but sparsely occupied. The Missouri River enters in the southwestern corner, and running northeasterly to the center, turns again southeasterly, receiving the Sun, Marias, Thompson, and Mountain rivers on the north, and the Arrow, Judith, Musselshell, and other streams on the south. The Great Falls of the Missouri, a few miles above Fort Benton, limit navigation at a distance of 2,450 miles from St. Louis. North of the river is a broad extent of grazing land, extending to the British Possession, which is the favorite range of the buffalo, these animals in immense herds disputing the ground with the domestic cattle, and requiring the constant vigil of herdsmen to defend their stock and drive back the native beasts. Great numbers of the buffalo are slain annually, some by the herdsmen in defense of their range, others for their hides, and many in sport. There were shipped from Fort Benton in 1874 upwards of 65,000 buffalo robes, usually worth about $5 each. A great number of other peltries are also taken in the county, as bear, deer, beaver, and others, bringing and important revenue. The Sun River Valley is a promising agricultural section, and having the military post of Fort Shaw a few miles distant in Lewis and Clarke county, where about 500 men are usually stationed, furnishing a ready market, has been quite well settled and is a pros- perous section. The Bear Paw and Little Rocky ranges of mountains are north of the river, and the Belt and other smaller ranges are in the south. Gold, silver, and other metals are known to exist, but are not extensively mined. Coal is found in large quantities, many veins showing along the Missouri, some of which a short distance above Fort Benton being mined to a considerable extent. Steam- boats ascend the river to Fort Benton, and during the summer many travelers and traders descend in broadhorns and mackinacs, boats made for the purpose, the rapid current of the river giving quick and cheap passage. OFFICERS: Robert R. Mills - Probate Judge J. A. Kanouse - Clerk, Recorder, and Auditor Trevannion Hale - Sheriff John Hunsberger - Treasurer, and Tax Collector August Dinsey - Assessor Moses Salomon - Coroner Thomas F. Healy - Superintendent Public Schools BENTON CITY, Chouteau Co. (See Fort Benton) FORT BENTON, Chouteau Co. - P.O. and County seat, is situated at the head of steamboat navigation on the Missouri River, and distant one hundred and forty miles northeast of Helena. Present population, about 600. This is the oldest settled place in the Territory, being an old fur-trading post many years before the discovery of gold. The fur trade it still enjoys, and is an important commercial point. Tri-weekly stages connect it with Helena, and a telegraph line gives instantaneous communi- cation with the world. Anderson, A. C. & Co. - blacksmiths, and wagon makers Baker, Isaac G. & Brother, general merchandise Carroll & Steel - general merchandise Carson, John - brewery Cohn, A. - merchant tailor Delaney, Charles - restaurant Elmore & Samples - restaurant Gobert, R. & Co. - brewery, and liquor saloon Hamblin & Scott - wagon makers, and blacksmiths Marshall, Carson & Co. - brewers Mecure & Lorion - builders, and carpenters Mills, Robert - hotel Northwest Fur Co. - fur dealers Power, John W. - postmaster Power, Thomas C. & Brother - general merchandise Wright & Weatherwax - butchers