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Property Details for I.G. Baker House


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Profile Information

Baker House
Government
241038
1608 Front Street FORT BENTON, MT 59442
.18
47.818848 / -110.666343
2
Benoy, Barbara
Benoy.Barbara@epa.gov
303-312-6760


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Property Location



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Property Progress


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CAs Associated with this Property

CA NameCA #StateTypeAnnouncement Year
Bear Paw Development CorporationBF96855501MTAssessment2017


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Assessment Activities at this Property

ActivityEPA FundingStart DateCompletion DateCAAccomplishment Counted?Counted When?
Phase II Environmental Assessment$11,351.0001/22/201907/09/2019Bear Paw Development CorporationYFY20
Supplemental Assessment12/03/2019Bear Paw Development CorporationN


Is Cleanup Necessary? Yes
EPA Assessment Funding: $11,351.00
Leveraged Funding: $19,870.00
Total Funding: $31,221.00


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Planning or Assessment

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Planning or Assessment.


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Contaminants and Media


Asbestos
Lead
NOT Cleaned up
NOT Cleaned up
Building Materials
Soil
NOT Cleaned up
NOT Cleaned up


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Cleanup Activities

There are no current cleanup activities.


Cleanup/Treatment Implemented:
Cleanup/Treatement Categories:
Addl Cleanup/Treatment info:
Address of Data Source:
Total ACRES Cleaned Up: .18
Number of Cleanup Jobs Leveraged:
EPA Cleanup Funding:
Leveraged Funding:
Cost Share Funding:
Total Funding:


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Demolition or Cleanup

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Demolition or Cleanup.


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Institutional and Engineering Controls

No
No
No
No


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Redevelopment and Other Leveraged Accomplishments

Start DateLeveraged FundingCACompletion Date
01/01/2019$2,029.00Bear Paw Development Corporation
01/01/2019$6,084.00Bear Paw Development Corporation
01/01/2019$15,000.00Bear Paw Development Corporation


Number of Redevelopment Jobs Leveraged:
Actual Acreage of Greenspace Created:
Leveraged Funding:


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Redevelopment

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation – Redevelopment


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Additional Property Attributes

The I. G. Baker House is extremely significant to the history of Montana and is one of the oldest remaining structures in Montana. The Baker House is located on Front Street in Fort Benton, and Fort Benton was historically one of the most bustling towns in the northern U.S. due to the fur trade. Fort Benton was also a popular place due to its proximity to the Missouri River and the fact that this was the farthest point on the Missouri that steamboats could travel. Fort Benton was a huge economic driver not only for Montana but the entire northern region of the U.S. and Canada. The majority of Front Street in Fort Benton falls into the Fort Benton Historic District. Some of the contributing buildings to the district are the I. G. Baker House, the Fort Benton Bridge, the Fort Benton fort, and the Grand Union Hotel. Fort Benton and Front Street are also in a very scenic setting right along the Missouri River. Today, Fort Benton's beautiful setting and its incredible history have created a market for tourism, which is one of the current economic drivers of the city and an important area of economic growth for the community. The Baker House, with its significant history to Fort Benton, Montana, and the United States, is a main attractant for tourists and brings in thousands of visitors each year. The City of Fort Benton, in partnership with the Fort Benton Community Improvement Association (FBCIA), is working to expand the museum's offerings at the I. G. Baker House. Currently, there are only two rooms that are open for viewing at the Baker House, but the City and the FBCIA plan to expand the viewing areas into three other rooms of the building. They cannot expand the museum and restore it to its historic nature until they address the asbestos and lead contamination. Without cleanup of the existing contamination, the City and the FBCIA cannot proceed with any safety, electrical, plumbing, or structural restoration activities to the building. The redevelopment and expansion of the museum will add to the tourism draw for the community and increase the number of visitors to Fort Benton while helping the City to grow their economy. Former Use: The I. G. Baker House was originally constructed in 1867 of adobe material and began with two main parlor rooms. Later, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom were added to the structure. The building was known for housing two very prominent families famous for being mercantile and fur trading moguls, the Baker family and the Conrad family. These families did business in Montana from 1865 until the 1900s. I. G. Baker was the founder of the I. G. Baker Company, which became the largest mercantile business in Montana from the 1870s through the 1880s. Later on, the Conrad family lived in the home and were also big influences in the mercantile trade. After the Conrads, it was used for officers' quarters for the military fort, Fort Benton. It was later purchased by a sheep-ranching family, the McLeish family. The Baker House served as a residential property for many years, undergoing several renovations during its history, until it was acquired by the City of Fort Benton. The City of Fort Benton utilizes the Baker House as a museum which is made open to the public during the tourist season (May-September). Due to the age of the building and the renovations that took place during the mid-1900s, it is understandable that some of the materials tested positive for lead paint and asbestos. For details, see the Environmental Site Assessment in July of 2019 (Phase II ESA, July 2019, NewFields).
Commercial (.18)
Hazardous


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Release 3.0.2