Havre in Hill County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

1. Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Marker

Inscription. Immense herds of bison once roamed the great North American prairies. As many as 30 million of the great shaggy beasts moved seasonally in herds of 25 to 300, following the same patterns year after year. Bison, or buffalo, were the lifeblood of the native peoples who shared this vast domain. For at least 11,000 years, the grassy plains along the Milk River were seasonally home to native groups. Knowing the habits of these animals allowed communal hunting, and they gathered at this place where the rolling prairie suddenly gives way to steep river valley walls. The land features were well suited for use as a buffalo jump, one method of communal hunting. Hunters systematically drove hundreds of bison over the slope. Waiting hunters at the bottom dispatched injured animals and butchering began at once. Archaeology at Wahkpa Chu’gn reveals that native peoples used this site extensively for at least 2,000 years. Wahkpa Chu’gn, pronounced walk-paw-chew-gun, is the Assiniboine term for Milk River. Discovered in the 1950s, the site has been under the protection of Hill County since 1964. Although more buffalo jumps have been found

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in Montana than in any other plains area, most are very poorly preserved. The exceptional preservation of faunal layers at Wahkpa Chu’gn provides a unique and visually stunning chronology of use over time. The site is of national significance for its superb archaeological record and as the first buffalo jump to be interpreted for the public.

Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.

Location. 48° 33.435′ N, 109° 42.825′ W. Marker is in Havre, Montana, in Hill County. It is on U.S. 2 near 19th Avenue West, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: #14 Meadowlark Estates, Havre MT 59501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Missouri River Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

2. Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Marker

Globally, it is in North America,

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: The Havre Air Force Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Havre (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump (approx. 0.4 miles away); Boone/Dalrymple House (approx. 1.6 miles away); A.D. Smith House (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Atrium (approx. 1.6 miles away); Havre Post Office and Courthouse (approx. 1.6 miles away); St Mark's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Havre.

Also see . . . Buffalo Jump Archaeologym -- Montana Kids. Nestled in the shadow of the Bear Paw Mountains, on the road to everywhere in north central Montana, Wahkpa Chu'gn is the most extensive and best preserved buffalo bone deposit in the northern Great Plains. Overlooking the scenic Milk River on the western edge of Havre, Montana, Wahkpa Chu'gn offers visitors a chance to journey back in time.

Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

3. Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump

(Submitted on November 14, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Visitors Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

4. Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Visitors Center

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2019

5. Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.