Chouteau County Library - Fort Benton

10/08/2026

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This three‑story brick building in Fort Benton, Montana once housed both the Bank of Northern Montana (relocated here in 1881) and the First National Bank of Fort Benton, founded in 1880. Before the banks occupied the space, the site served as a Wells Fargo office and as a stop for the Benton‑Helena Stage Company.

In the photo, men stand on the porch and upper balcony, while young trees in decorative planters line the front. Weather instruments can be seen on the roof, reflecting early efforts to monitor local conditions.

The First National Bank of Fort Benton issued several types of territorial banknotes during its early years, placing this shared banking space within the broader history of Fort Benton, long known as the “Birthplace of Montana.”

See more history at https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/95337.

10/07/2026

~Wonder Wednesday~

Do you wonder if the is open?

We are! Blansett Plumbing saved the day and the water is ready to go. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

10/06/2026

~Trivia Tuesday~

•The Chouteau County Library {Fort Benton} is the oldest county library in Montana.
•It was established in 1915.
•The doors opened in 1916.

With a building of this age, sometimes problems crop up. One of these happened yesterday - a water pipe broke. The will be closed today, Tuesday, October 6th, because the water is turned off. Thank you for your understanding.

10/05/2026

~Mellow Monday~

10/02/2026

~Fort Benton Friday~

It’s fall, y’all!

10/02/2026

Here is what is on display at the for the month of October. Stop by and !

It’s spooky season! In the children’s room you will find spooky books, blind date with a book, fall, and baseball.

In the Young Adult section go on a blind date with a book or start a new series.

the adult displays including staff picks, spooky books, mysteries & thrillers, as well as challenged materials.

Don’t forget about Lego Club on Wednesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. for kids ages 8+. Free build or challenge.

Events in October:
•All branches of the Chouteau County Library system will be closed Monday the 12th in observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
•Conversation Starter Book Club will be Wednesday the 14th at 6 p.m. at The River Press, and will discuss “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.”
•Bingo! Monday the 19th at 5:30 p.m. Free and all ages are welcome.
•Friends of the Library will discuss Chouteau County Country Christmas on the 22nd at noon.
•The Monday Club will discuss “A Study in Scarlet Women” on the 26th at noon.

Stay tuned for technology workshops to expand on the CyberSecurity workshop last month.

The Chouteau County Library Board of Trustees will be meeting on Wednesday, the 28th at noon at the Big Sandy Library.

Regular programming includes:
•DnD Mondays at 4 p.m.
•Storytime Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
•Legos Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.

Winter hours:
Monday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information check out:

https://www.chouteaucountylibrary.net

10/01/2026

~Today Is~

Today is a good day to go on a blind date with a book!

{Or any day in October.}

09/30/2026

~Wonder Wednesday~

Do you wonder where you can find the MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks information about hunting and fishing at the ?

In the Montana Room, of course. Along with the arrowhead collections, all of the FBHS yearbooks, Big Sky Journals, five regional papers, Montana history, and Montana authors among other items.

the soon!

09/29/2026

~Trivia Tuesday~

•The Chouteau County Library is a new location to obtain your hunting and/or fishing license.
•To purchase licenses and apply for licenses and permits, you will use the Buy and Apply section of the website fwp.mt.gov.
•Residency requirements include, among other options, having physically lived in Montana for at least 180 consecutive days immediately prior to purchasing a resident license, register your vehicle in Montana, be registered to vote in Montana (if you are registered to vote at all).
•Other licenses available include youth licenses, disabled licenses, and nonresident licenses.
•Nonresident licenses include nonresident native licenses (NRN), come home to hunt licenses (CHTH), and non-resident active military licenses.

at the !