Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
These Springs Have Witnessed...
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
1. These Springs Have Witnessed... Marker
Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition member Captain William Clark first documented these springs on June 18, 1805. The Giant Springs area was one of many where the Corps reported plentiful beaver. Many trappers and fur traders eventually traveled through this area during the Fur Trade Era, which flourished along the Missouri River in the 1800's.
Nearly eighty-five years after William Clark’s discovery of the springs, completion of the Montana Smelter in 1888, located just south of present day Giant Springs Road, gave Great Falls its first major industry. Tice smelter overlooked Giant Springs and operated until 1902.
The Giant Springs Fish Hatchery was completed in 1922 and became an added attraction for the visitors to Giant Springs Park. The park was operated at the time by the City of Great Falls.
Giant Springs Park prospered during the Great Depression of the 1930’s as the result of major reconstruction projects. The Works Project Administration (WPA) and other local agencies built the concrete bridges, viewing platform, stone steps, and early roads. Workers also rehabilitated
this page online
In 1970 Giant Springs Park was transferred from the City of Great Falls to the State of Montana and became Giant Springs State Park.
Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 18, 1805.
Location. 47° 32.067′ N, 111° 13.792′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker can be reached from Giant Springs Road, 1.3 miles north of River Drive North, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Giant Springs State Park, along the Giant Springs interpretive trail, overlooking Giant Springs, the Roe River, and the Missouri River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4803 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls MT 59405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Where Does the Water Come From? (here, next to this marker); Pure Springs Along the Missouri River (a few steps from this marker); The Smallest River Runs Through It (within shouting distance of this marker); Giant Fountain
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
2. These Springs Have Witnessed... Marker (wide view; Giant Springs & Missouri River background)
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts.
Also see . . .
1. Roe River. The Roe River runs from Giant Springs to the Missouri River near Great Falls, Montana, United States. The Roe River is only 201 feet long at its longest constant point, and had been named as the World's Shortest River by the Guinness book of World Records before Guinness eliminated the shortest river category. Towards its mouth, the Roe is about 6–8 feet deep. (Submitted on December 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Giant Springs State Park. Giant Springs was discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country. The springs flow at a rate of 156 million gallons of water per day
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
3. Roe River flowing toward the Missouri River (view from marker)
3. Giant Springs - One of the largest fresh water springs in the world!. Native Americans revered it, directly connecting it to a Blackfeet Indian Sun god. Lewis and Clark stumbled into it while portaging around the "Great Fall" of the Missouri. (Submitted on December 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. Giant Springs. This remarkable attraction was known during the 1880s and 90s as "Big Spring," and sometimes "Wonderful Spring." In 1887 a daring group of eastern tourists steamed thirty miles up the river from Fort Benton to see the falls and the spring. Of the latter, the reporter wrote: "This tremendous outpouring seems to be rather the mouth of a hidden river than a simple spring. They agreed to christen it "The Giant's Fountain." (Submitted on December 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
4. Giant Springs (Missouri River in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
5. Giant Springs
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 2015
6. Giant Springs cascading into the Missouri River
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 26, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
