The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-28
BENTON.

Although one of the Oldest trading points
il the Northwest, the town OF Fort Benton
is but q few years old. Its history, as q
town, may be said to have its origin in the
year 1867 when Murphy Neel s. Co., and
Kleinschmidt 8 Bro, commenced business
here. Before that time non thought Of Ft.
Benton as 9 permanent place of business.
Since then the land on which the town is sit
uated has been entered as a town site, and
DC ople have settled and entered into business
with a view to permanency.
As late as one year ago some Of the most
desirable locations il town were entered
under the town site act, and much Of the
lend adjacent to the town was as yet unoccu-
pied. To-day the real estate Of Fort Benton
if appraised at its true value would exceed q
million dollars and the adjacent land that
parties have 50 lately proved title to under
the homestead and presumption laws, is sell
ing at from ~seventy-fVe to one thousand dol
kind whatever.
A few years ago but two or three stores,
doing q local business of a few hundred
thousand q year, was all the town could
boast Of, whereas now the same business is
sub-diyided among thirty firms whose annual
business must amount to nearly two million
dollars.
Three years ago the town consisted Of
Front street and a few struggling houses on
Main street; today Front, Main, and Frank
lin streets, running parallel with the river,
and Power, Baker, Bond, st. John and Ben
ton, cross streets, are we'll settled with bust
ness and dwelling houses, while the other
streets are being dotted here and there with
neat and tasty dwellings: then 'dObe and log
houses were the rule, now scores Of magnif-
cent brick business blocks and large and
c~ommodions private residences are seen upon
every hand then no church service called
the people together for worship, now two
fine churches are erected and per manently
occupied, and three different branches Of the
christian church are planted in our midst,
with regular weekly services.
TIL town has improved wonderfully il the
past few years, but yet it is in the very in
cipiency Of its existence.
The season Of '82 will bring more i'm
prOVements than ever before. Fine dwelling
houses; costly business structures; 8 large
increase in business and population; a mag
three story, graded school; a large
Touring mill a planning, sash, and door
mandatory, and d wool grading and pack
ing establishment, may be mentioned as
some Of the enterprises and Improvements to
be completed next year.
Non-residents will please remember that
this is no boom, but the healthy progress Of
enterprislng and thrifty young commun-
which will increase each year in a pro
ratio with the settlement Of its great
tributary country, reaching hundreds Of
miles IN al directions, and capable Of sup
q million Or more inhabitants in agri-
pursuits, manufactures, stock
and mining.
Fort Benton is 30 situated, geographically
md naturally, that it is the essential center
Of this immense and wonderful tributary
country, and will grow IS it grows-steadily
rapidly-until 10 . few years we will
have a city Of $1,000 inhabitants. It is bet
Ter rituated than any town in the North
west, not excepting ST. Paul or Denver, and
all, if not more Of the natural advantages
Of either Of them. Some Of the oldest in
habitants will live to see that this picture is
not overdrawn.