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Museum Of The Upper Missouri covers the history of the Upper Missouri from 1800 to 1900, highlighting the importance of Fort Benton and the role it played as a trading post, military fort and the head of steamboat navigation. From 1860 through 1887, Fort Benton was known as 'the toughest town in the West,' for it was the world's innermost port, and strategically vital in the settlement of the Northwest. Exhibits feature this Missouri River town as an early transportation and shipping center full of color and history. Take a walk back in time along Fort Benton's historic steamboat levee, where supplies and settlers were unloaded to settle this new frontier. You can also visit the Shep Memorial. Adjacent to the museum is the Old Fort Benton where daily tours are on-going throughout the summer and is considered the birthplace of Montana with its 1846 blockhouse, the oldest standing structure in Montana.
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Enter Fort Benton from US Highway 87. Proceed down St. Charles Street to 20th Street. Follow buffalo footprints on pavement from Museum of Northern Great Plains to Old Fort Park and museum.