Welcome to the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Picture Tour

Normally, MontanaPictures.Net picture tours exclusively feature Montana towns, parks, mountains and rivers. We had to make an exception and include the Fort Union Trading Post because Montana would not exist if not for the establishment of the post in 1828. Fort Union was the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri until 1867. If you have the time, it is worth the 13 miles drive north of Fairview, Montana to see the partially reconstructed trading post on the Missouri River.

Reconstructed Buildings

The post faded away with the passage of time, in fact the site was used for gravel mining in the 1930’s to meet the demand for more gravel-based roads. Fortunately, area citizens, led by local women, organized to raise money to acquire the site. Through their efforts the state of North Dakota purchased over ten acres of land that encompassed the post’s remains. It was designated a state historic site in 1938. Today you can see an accurate reconstruction of what the post must have looked like in 1851.