The Grand Union Hotel
gained a new lease on life following an award winning restoration
supervised by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the U.S.
Parks Department, and the Montana State Historic Preservation Office
preserving the historical character of Montana's oldest operating
hotel and one of its most famous landmarks.
The hotel's history
began in 1882, just 36 years after Fort Benton was founded and 7 years
before Montana became a state, and was built at the height of Fort
Benton's prosperity and the steamboat era on the Upper Missouri River.
Following a
construction cost of $50,000 with an additional $150,000 spent on
furnishings and a construction time of 1 year, 3 months and 18 days,
the newly christened Grand Union Hotel opened November 2, 1882 with
the biggest party the city and Territory had ever seen. Over 300
attended including some of the most prominent men and women in Montana
history.
Elegantly restored to
its original splendor in 1999 and listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, the Grand Union is proud to continue its tradition of
providing the grandest lodging and dining experience to be found in
Montana.
