Fort Union
Fort Union (1829-1867) - Established in 1829 as an American Fur Company (AFC) post by Kenneth McKenzie in present-day Valley County, Montana. Later bought by the Federal Government, abandoned and scrapped in 1866.
History
Fort Union remained a thriving trade center until smallpox swept through the local tribes. Expansion from the east increased pressure on the tribes, leading to several outbreaks of hostility. Despite the construction of the U.S. Army Fort Buford down river from Fort Union, maintaining safety in the area became impractical. The coming of the Civil War shifted attention from the West and Fort Union fell into disuse. It was abandoned finally and scrapped in 1867.
Current Status
Unknown
Context
Location:
Fraser, Valley County, Montana. Map point is approximate.
Lat: 48.059° Long: -106.041°
Bing, Google,
OldMapsOnline,
USGS, OHM
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 75
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 479
Links:
Related:
American Fur Company, Fort Buford, Fort Union, Fort Van Buren, Tour Guide to Old Western Forts,