Fort Carroll (historical) (Fergus County, near Zortman, Montana)
Fergus County, near Zortman · Montana · Indian Wars
History & Significance
Fort Carroll, also known as Carroll Landing Post, was a trading post and steamboat landing established in 1874 on the Missouri River in present-day Fergus County, Montana. The post was named for Matthew Carroll, one of the company's founders.
Built by the Diamond R Transportation Company as a trading post and steamboat landing on the Missouri River to replace Fort Sheridan and challenge Fort Benton as a transportation and supply center, the installation served a vital role in gold rush supply chains. Freight destined for the goldfields in Helena left St. Paul, Minnesota, on the newly constructed Northern Pacific Railroad for Bismarck, North Dakota, where the rails ended, then came by steamboat up the Missouri River to the newly built Fort Carroll and then overland by wagon to Helena.
Garrisoned by the 7th U.S. Infantry in the summers of 1874 and 1875, the town of Carroll also sprung up at the landing. Joseph Kipp operated a trading post here from 1880 to 1882, which consisted of a trade store, storehouse, and residence. The post was abandoned in 1882 when business diminished.
Key Facts
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Carroll_(Montana)
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-carroll-montana/
- https://fortwiki.com/Fort_Carroll_(4)
- https://sites.rootsweb.com/~mttttp/military/index.htm