Fort Claggett, Montana
Nestled in the vast expanse of Montana, where the Missouri and Judith Rivers converge, lies a place steeped in history – Fort Claggett. More than just a landmark, Fort Claggett, Montana, represents a pivotal era of westward expansion, trade, and the complex interactions between settlers, the U.S. Army, and Native American tribes. This article delves into the rich narrative of Fort Claggett, tracing its evolution from a military outpost and trading post to a vital hub for ranchers and a significant piece of Montana’s landscape.
The story begins in July 1866, a period marked by increasing tensions between settlers and Native American tribes in the Montana Territory. To provide protection for the burgeoning settlements, the U.S. Army established Camp Cooke along the banks of the Missouri River, strategically positioned just upstream from the mouth of the Judith River. This military installation served as a deterrent against Indian raids and a symbol of the federal government’s presence in the region.
Recognizing an opportunity, Thomas C. Power, an ambitious steamboat entrepreneur and trader, established a small trading post near Camp Cooke. Power’s vision was to supply goods and services to the soldiers stationed at the camp, catering to their needs and filling a crucial role in the remote outpost. The trading post was christened Fort Claggett, a tribute to William Claggett, a prominent figure in Montana Territory’s political and economic landscape. Claggett was revered as one of the territory’s most respected politicians and capitalists, making the naming a strategic move to garner favor and influence. Power also secured the contract to operate the commissary at Camp Cooke, further solidifying his position in the local economy.
However, Camp Cooke’s lifespan was relatively short. In 1870, the U.S. Army decommissioned the post, leaving a void in the region’s infrastructure and economy. Undeterred, Thomas C. Power seized the opportunity to expand his operations. He purchased the remaining assets from the government and, in June 1872, relocated and rebuilt Fort Claggett east of the Judith River. This second iteration of Fort Claggett was strategically positioned near a river ford, allowing it to capitalize on the steamboat traffic along the Missouri River. The fort served as a critical exchange point, receiving supplies via steamboat and shipping out valuable commodities such as beaver pelts, buffalo hides, and cattle.
The establishment of Fort Claggett also spurred the creation of a formal postal service in the area. On June 14, 1872, a post office named Clagett was officially established, with Abel Quaintance appointed as the first postmaster. This marked a significant step towards connecting the remote outpost with the wider world, facilitating communication and commerce.
As the region developed, a road was blazed through the area by 1884, known as the Claggett Trail. This trail became a vital artery for transportation, heavily utilized by freighters, cowboys, businessmen, Native Americans, and miners seeking their fortunes in the nearby Judith Mountains. The Claggett Trail further cemented Fort Claggett’s importance as a central hub in the region.
Despite being named a fort, Fort Claggett’s primary function was as an Indian trading post. Initially, a partial stockade surrounded the post, providing a degree of security. However, by 1878, the perceived need for a defensive structure diminished, reflecting a shift in the dynamics of the region. The post office was discontinued on November 4, 1878, and the name of the settlement was subsequently changed to Judith Landing. While the name "Fort Claggett" faded from official use, its legacy continued to resonate in the region’s history.
Around 1880, a stone warehouse was constructed on the bank of the Judith River, solidifying Judith Landing’s role as a trading center for ranchers and stockmen. Though built by T.C. Power & Bro., the warehouse was managed by Bill Norris. In the same year, they also established a ferry service across the Missouri River, known as the PN Ferry or the Judith Ferry. This ferry operated until 1908, providing a crucial link across the river and facilitating trade and transportation.
The mid-1880s saw Thomas Power and Gilman Norris formalize their partnership by establishing the Judith Mercantile and Cattle Company, with its headquarters at Fort Claggett. This marked the genesis of the Power-Norris or PN Ranch, which would become a prominent fixture in the Montana landscape. At its peak in the late 1880s, Fort Claggett comprised a diverse array of establishments, including a store, hotel, saloon, warehouse, mail station, stables, and sheep sheds, reflecting its role as a thriving commercial center.
Judith Landing functioned as a mercantile establishment and shipping point on the river until the 1890s. Ranchers brought their produce and wool to Judith Landing, where T.C. Power purchased it or shipped it on steamboats, further solidifying the region’s economic ties to the outside world.
Thomas C. Power’s influence extended beyond the local economy. He later served in the United States Senate from 1890 to 1895, representing the state of Montana and advocating for its interests on the national stage.
Over the years, the PN Ranch, initially centered around Fort Claggett, changed hands several times and grew to encompass nearly 50,000 acres. In 2016, the ranch was sold to the American Prairie Reserve, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rich grasslands and wildlife of Montana’s Great Plains. Although the property was listed at $21,500,000, the final sale price remains undisclosed. The property included a large two-story house built in 1880, the mostly intact remnants of the commissary, a stone warehouse, and a log schoolhouse, all testaments to the area’s historical significance.
The original location of Fort Claggett was situated approximately two or three blocks south of the present-day stone warehouse building, which later served as a horse barn on the PN Ranch. Today, the PN Ranch is located upstream from the public access site at river mile 86 and downstream to river mile 89.
Fort Claggett, Montana, stands as a reminder of the transformative period in American history when the West was being settled. It represents the ambitions of entrepreneurs like Thomas C. Power, the strategic importance of river transportation, and the complex relationships between various groups vying for control of the land. The legacy of Fort Claggett continues to endure, preserved in the landscape and in the stories passed down through generations. The establishment of Fort Claggett had a major impact on the growth of the American West.