Fort Benton
Fort Benton (1845-1845) - A temporary fortification established in November 1845 near Luning, Mineral County, Nevada by John C. Fremont's third expedition. Named Fort Benton perhaps after Fremont's wife's family. His wife was Jessie Benton daughter of U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton. The post was abandoned in later in 1845.
History
Fort Benton was a temporary campsite established in November 1845 by John C. Fremont during the third Fremont Expedition. Fremont's expedition consisted of some 60 men guided by Kit Carson who headed across the Great Basin to California. The expedition was one of exploration but with enough men (60) to counter any threat from Mexican government units in California.
Abandoned in November 1845 as the expedition moved on to Sutter's Fort on the American River arriving on 9 Dec 1845.
Current Status
Rock ruins are said to exist at the supposed site, located about five miles northwest of town. The exact location could not be determined so the GPS coordinates reflect a possible site.
Context
Location:
Near Luning, Mineral County, Nevada.
Lat: 38.542° Long: -118.139°
Bing, Google,
OldMapsOnline,
USGS, OHM
See Also:
Links:
Related:
Fort Benton, John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, Sutter's Fort,