Near Valier in Pondera County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Captain Meriwether Lewis

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013

1. Captain Meriwether Lewis Marker

Inscription. Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, accompanied by three of his men, explored this portion of the country upon their return trip from the coast. On July 26, 1806, they met eight Piegans (Blackfeet), who Lewis mistakenly identified as Gros Ventres, and camped with them that night on Two Medicine Creek at a point northeast of here. Next morning the Indians, by attempting to steal the explorers guns and horses, precipitated a fight in which two of the Indians were killed.

This was the only hostile encounter with Indians that the Expedition encountered in their entire trip from St. Louis to the Pacific and back. Lewis unwittingly dropped a bombshell on the Piegans with the news that their traditional enemies, the Nez Perce, Shoshoni and Kootenai, were uniting in an American-inspired peace and would be getting guns and supplies from Yankee traders. This threatened the Blackfeet’s 20 year domination of the Northern Plains made possible by Canadian guns.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1806.

Location. 48° 19.283′ N, 112° 32.543′ W. Marker is near

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Valier, Montana, in Pondera County. It is on U.S. 89 0.1 miles south of Robare Lane, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in a pull-out on the east side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valier MT 59486, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana

and in Russell Country. 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The 546th Missile Squadron (here, next to this marker); The Front Range of the Rockies (approx. 8.7 miles away); Dupuyer (approx. 8.7 miles away); Old Agency Site (approx. 10.4 miles away); Ration Day (approx. 10.4 miles away); Ghost Ridge (approx. 10.4 miles away); Old Agency (approx. 10.7 miles away); A Dispute Over Horses and Guns (approx. 14 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valier.

More about this marker. This is a large painted wooden "billboard-style" marker.

Also see . . .
1. Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: Chapter Eighteen. The Piegans noticed not only the unattended guns but the general unreadiness of all the whites. Speaking quickly and openly, for no one knew their language, they planned a concerted attack. One warrior would make off with both of the Field brothers' guns. Two others would seize the rifles in the shelter—those lying beside Drouillard and Lewis. The other six Piegans should lay hold of the whites' six horses.

Captain Meriwether Lewis Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013

2. Captain Meriwether Lewis Marker (wide view)

There seems to have been no intent, right then, to kill the Americans. Such a battle might cost a Piegan life, a loss that all Indian raiders were reluctant to face. Bringing home white mens' guns and horses without harm to themselves would give them prestige enough. Besides, the Americans, left unarmed and afoot on the plains, would soon die anyway... (Submitted on December 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Fight Site (called the “Murder Site” or “Kill Site” by the Blackfeet Nation). National Park Service Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail website entry (Submitted on May 6, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Welcome to Blackfeet Nation Sign (<i>6/10 mile north of marker on US Highway 89</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013

3. Welcome to Blackfeet Nation Sign (6/10 mile north of marker on US Highway 89)

Blackfeet on Horses Sculpture (<i>6/10 mile north of marker on US Highway 89</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2013

4. Blackfeet on Horses Sculpture (6/10 mile north of marker on US Highway 89)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,017 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 10, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.