09/20/2025
Fort Benton boomed during the Montana gold rush of the 1860’s. Miners would arrive by steamboat, journey to the gold fields and later return to await transportation back to civilization. Not many returned wealthy, but many seemed to have enough funds to have a “fine” time while waiting for transportation down the Missouri River. Saloons, gambling establishments, and “houses” seemed to spring up overnight to cater to the returning men and Fort Benton became known as one of the toughest towns in the West. Gunslingers walked the street; few earned a reputation, but more earned eternity here than in other fabled western towns. Poker was played with six-guns atop the table and females from the brothels were as tough as the men. Madame Moustache brandished Colts to halt the landing of steamboat carrying smallpox. Saloons and “houses” stayed open all night. The block was lined with barrooms, cathouse and gambling dens – so lawless it had to be circled by a cavalry troop so a U.S. Marshall could serve warrant on five of its residents.
One area of the town became known as “The Bloodiest Block in the West” for its particular rough and tumble ways and is visible in the center area of this 1867 photo.
