Fort Benton — often called the “Birthplace of Montana” — is a historic city known for its role as the head of navigation on the Missouri River during the 19th-century fur trade and steamboat era. The city itself is home to the Fort Benton Historic District, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961, which includes the waterfront, levee, and remnants of the original Old Fort Benton trading post established in 1846. Several landmarks within this district have undergone restorations over the years, but a recent and notable project highlights ongoing efforts to preserve this frontier heritage.
The Keelboat Mandan
On September 13, a longtime riverfront landmark in Fort Benton was announced as fully restored. The keelboat Mandan, a 70-year-old replica vessel, has been meticulously refurbished after four years of volunteer-led work. This restoration beautifies the Missouri River waterfront and preserves a key piece of Montana’s maritime history.
The Mandan was originally constructed in 1950 as a movie prop for the Howard Hawks film The Big Sky, a Western adventure starring Kirk Douglas and set along the Missouri River. It arrived in Fort Benton around 1964, where it served as a static display and symbol of the city’s steamboat and keelboat past. Keelboats like this predated steamboats and were essential for early river navigation and trade in the 1800s. Due to its age and exposure to the elements, it qualified for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Restoration
A dedicated team of volunteers undertook the project, repairing and reconstructing the vessel to resemble an authentic keelboat from the frontier era. The work focused on structural integrity, historical accuracy, and aesthetic appeal, transforming it from a weathered relic into a vibrant centerpiece. The restoration was completed without major funding disruptions, emphasizing community involvement.
Now resembling a true historical keelboat, the Mandan enhances Fort Benton’s riverfront park along the steamboat levee — a key part of the National Historic Landmark district. It serves as an educational and visual attraction, drawing visitors to explore the area’s role in the Lewis and Clark expedition, fur trade, and westward expansion. The levee itself is a preserved green space with interpretive signs, walking paths, and views of the Upper Missouri River Breaks.
This project aligns with broader preservation efforts in Fort Benton.
For instance, the original Northeast Bastion (or Blockhouse) of Old Fort Benton, the oldest surviving structure in Montana (built around 1856), was restored in the mid-20th century and remains open to the public seasonally. Other nearby sites, like the reconstructed Bourgeois House and the 1882 Grand Union Hotel (Montana’s oldest operating hotel), have also been restored to highlight the city’s “steamboat days” character.
If you’re planning a trip to Fort Benton, the keelboat Mandan is accessible year-round along Fort Benton’s riverfront and the waterfront is open daily; guided tours of related sites like Old Fort Benton are available from Memorial Day through late September (10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays, noon–4 p.m. Sundays).
You can also explore the Museum of the Upper Missouri, the Museum of the Northern Great Plains, or the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Interpretive Center — all part of the Fort Benton Museums and Heritage Complex.
Fort Benton is just up the road (about 40 miles northeast) from us here in Great Falls on highway US-87. The area is perfect for history buffs, with walking tours and events celebrating its Blackfeet heritage and pioneer stories.
The restoration of the Keelboat Mandan not only revives a beloved local icon but also underscores Fort Benton’s commitment to maintaining its status as a living museum of the American West.
For more details, you can plan your visit by contacting the Fort Benton Montana Museums and Heritage Complex or by calling 406-622-5316.
