Fort Assinniboine
- Categories:
- Things to See, Indian Nations
- Keywords:
- General info
-
Fort Assinniboine, the largest military post constructed in Montana, was established in 1879. Within four years, a stately, impressive complex of some one hundred brick, stone, and wood buildings, was clustered around the parade ground over-looking the quiet meandering of Beaver Creek, and in the shadow of the beautiful Bear Paw Mountains. The Fort buildings were surrounded by a vast military reservation of a half-million acres.
The Fort was designed to house ten companies of soldiers, both infantry and cavalry. The troopers were in charge of monitoring the activities of the many Indian groups living in the region and protecting them and the citizens of Montana from hostile incursions of Canadian tribal bands. In its heyday, nearly 1,000 officers, enlisted men, and civilians called Assinniboine home. The Fort, one of northern Montana’s earliest white outposts, was a busy self-contained city. Bakery, laundry, and blacksmith facilities were in operation, as were a general store, post office, hotel, and restaurant. For recreation, the post band gave regular concerts, and the men engaged in such sports activities as baseball, track, and boxing. Other diversions offered included a
-
Fort Assinniboine