Near Three Forks in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Gallatin City

First and Second

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

1. Gallatin City Marker

Inscription. The original townsite of Gallatin City, north of here on the west side of the combined Madison and Jefferson Rivers, was selected in 1862. In Feb., 1863 sixty cabins were being constructed. The river was forded when it was low and a ferry was available when it was high. In 1864 President Lincoln declared Montana a Territory and Gallatin County, (one of nine Montana counties) named Gallatin City the county seat. In 1865 the town had moved to the east side of the river near the present Headwaters Park. The county’s first flour mill was built at Gallatin City in 1866. Freighting on the Missouri River was impossible due to several waterfalls below Fort Benton. When Bozeman was voted the county seat in 1867 and the Northern Pacific Railroad was scheduled to by-pass Gallatin City, the town was gradually abandoned.

Erected 2000 by The Montana Cultural Trust The Gallatin County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln

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Location. 45° 54.064′ N, 111° 31.264′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is on Frontage Road (County Route 205), on the right when traveling east. Marker is on frontage road, from exit 278 on I-90, just east of the Madison River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 743 Frontage Road, Three Forks MT 59752, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Missouri River Headwaters (a few steps from this marker); The Three Forks of the Missouri (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Park (approx. 1½ miles away); The 442nd (approx. 1½ miles away); Headwaters of the Missouri River

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

2. Gallatin City Marker

Full view, allowing sample of terrain

(approx. 1½ miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church, Three Forks (approx. 1½ miles away); Native Americans (approx. 1½ miles away); European Interest in the Missouri (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Forks.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Gallatin City, Missouri Headwaters State Park, Montana

Additional keywords. Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

3. Gallatin City Marker

Two markers, side by side

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

4. Gallatin City Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,370 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on December 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.