Beckwith Mercantile Company (Saint Ignatius, Mont.)

The Beckwith Mercantile Company was founded in St. Ignatius, Montana, by George Beckwith in 1902. A Canadian, George Beckwith came to St. Ignatius from Missoula in 1902 and bought the general store from Alexander Demers. Beckwith also established grain elevators in St. Ignatius and Ravalli and the Beckwith Restaurant in St. Ignatius. Beckwith's store had the first telephone in St. Ignatius. George Beckwith was the first mayor of St. Ignatius when it incorporated in 1938.

From the guide to the Beckwith Mercantile Company (Saint Ignatius, Mont.) general ledger, 1902-1904, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)

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