Photo: Linda Darelius, Tour of Honor rider.
FORT BENTON, MONTANA
N 47° 49.2282 / W 110° 39.8814
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260062.
Copyright version 1920, sheet bronze.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: 47260062.
Near 18th and Park Street, in southeast corner of Legion Park near the remains of old Fort Benton, the head of past riverboat navigation of the Missouri River.
The inscription on the plaque on the front of the monument reads:
THAT WE, AND OUR POSTERITY
MIGHT PEACEFULLY LIVE,
THESE VALIANT SONS OF
CHOTEAU COUNTY GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1918, AND WE
HOLD THEM IN OUR GRATEFUL HEARTS
WITH REVERENCE AND HONOR FOREVER:
(followed by two columns with names and towns for each)
THAT WE, AND OUR POSTERITY
MIGHT PEACEFULLY LIVE,
THESE VALIANT SONS OF
CHOTEAU COUNTY GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1918, AND WE
HOLD THEM IN OUR GRATEFUL HEARTS
WITH REVERENCE AND HONOR FOREVER:
(followed by two columns with names and towns for each)
Photo: Schwinden Library and Archives.
The Doughboy was originally dedicated November 11, 1923 at Front Street at the Grand Union Hotel corner. A Black Eagle, Montana woman was killed in 1952 when a car in which she was riding hit it. It was moved in September 1956 and placed at the current location in the spring of 1957.
The photo at left shows the monument at its original location in the 1940s or '50s. It was financed by public subscription but was materially helped by one particular gift. A bank president and a friend had been interested in Fort Benton’s acquisition of a memorial since before the war ended. The bank president died in 1922 and his friend donated all his estate executor fees to the fund.
A large black stone memorial near the Doughboy recognizes those of Choteau County who lost their lives in World War II.
The bayonet was replaced at some past point and the sculpture was refurbished in 1996. However, the rifle sling is still missing.
The photo at left shows the monument at its original location in the 1940s or '50s. It was financed by public subscription but was materially helped by one particular gift. A bank president and a friend had been interested in Fort Benton’s acquisition of a memorial since before the war ended. The bank president died in 1922 and his friend donated all his estate executor fees to the fund.
A large black stone memorial near the Doughboy recognizes those of Choteau County who lost their lives in World War II.
The bayonet was replaced at some past point and the sculpture was refurbished in 1996. However, the rifle sling is still missing.
Another early view of the Ft. Benton Doughboy.
