Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Danger Ahead!
Captain Lewis in the Missoula Valley
As the Salish, Nez Perce and other western mountain Indian tribes passed through these canyons enroute to buffalo hunting grounds east of the Rocky Mountains, they were often ambushed by raiding parties from the Blackfeet, Hidatsa and other more aggressive eastern plains Indians.
Captain Lewis wrote in his journals: "all the nations... on the west side of the mountains... & who visit the plains of the Missouri... pass by this rout."
On July 4th, 18076, just a few miles downstream, six Nez Perce Indian guides would travel no further into what is now the Missoula Valley, They warned Captain Lewis that his life and the lives of his time men were in grave danger if they insisted on traveling east, to the great falls of the Missouri River.
Luckily, Lewis and his band of men passed safely through the confined canyons, but many other traveler were not as fortunate.
(sidebar on right:)
By the 1820s, the local French-Canadian trappers were calling the dangerous canyons to the east Porte d'Enfer, meaning Gates of Hell or Hell's Gate, and the stream running through it, the Hell Gate River. By 1860, the valley's main trading post and village was also named Hell Gate. But four years later, the town moved to its present location and the name was quietly changed to the more civilized Missoula Mills, and then just Missoula.
Over a century later, the Hell Gate term is still being used by local businesses, organizations, and two schools - Hellgate Elementary and Hellgate High School.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1806.
Location. 46° 52.14′ N, 113° 59.808′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. Marker can be reached from Carousel Drive near South Higgins Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Carousel Drive, Missoula MT 59802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Name That River (here, next to this marker); A Shortcut (a few steps from this marker); Northwest Passage (a few steps from this marker); Headquarters Building and Daily Company Annex (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Free Speech Corner (about 600 feet away); Elrod Residence (about 700 feet away); Parsons House (about 800 feet away); Charles E. Johnson Residence (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.
More about this marker. This marker is in Caras Park on Riverfront Trail, opposite Brennan's Wave.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.