The "Birthplace of Montana" holds the Missouri River and historic sites of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Published: 2019
By Janell Barber

Chouteau County, established in 1865, was one of the original nine counties of the Montana Territory. Once the largest county in the Montana Territory and second largest in the United States, Chouteau County is an area of 3,972 square miles. With a population of about 5,765, Fort Benton, Big Sandy, Geraldine and Highwood are the largest communities with smaller communities in Carter, Loma, Floweree, Shonkin and Square Butte. As part of the Golden Triangle, Chouteau County is the top producing county of winter wheat in the state. With these statistics, it is no wonder agriculture production and agriculture-related businesses are the top industry.