Painted by John Clymer it depicts the wide range of boats that were used during the fur trade.

The history of Fort Benton is massive. As the head of steam navigation on the Missouri, Fort Benton was very important. It was the jumping off place for many expeditions, the start of the stage line here in Montana and a major fur depot.

If any of you happen to pass this site on vacation or even a casual trip, I would reccommend that you stop here. From the highway Fort Benton is very deceiving. All you can see is the Great Plains until you near the river....then the land drops off and you can see Fort Benton spread out before you. The museum there is very interesting, you can see from time to time, buckskinners running the river in canoes and the town has been at work trying to restore itself.

But take a look at the various boat styles depicted here. The study of the flatbottom river boat is captivating and might spur you on to make one for yourself.