Fort Shaw in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Fort Shaw Government Industrial Indian School
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2019
1. Fort Shaw Government Industrial Indian School Marker
"Come bring your lunch basket and you friends and have a good time," urged Montana newspapers in June 1897. The Fort Shaw Indian School's year-end exercises would begin at 1:00 p.m. with a band concert, followed by field games, recitations, and songs. And though the game of "basket ball" was invented only a few years earlier, the Indian girls at the Fort Shaw School were already beginning to form an invincible team.
Under the leadership of Dr. William H. Winslow, Fort Shaw's first Superintendent, the Indian boarding school was established in 1892 by the Department of Interior, Indian Services. Children representing several Native tribes came from all parts of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho to attend school at Fort Shaw.
Originally a military post, Fort Shaw was established in 1867 and named for Colonel Robert G. Shaw. It served to protect settlers and travelers on the Mullan Road. This regiment of soldiers (shown left) was stationed at Fort Shaw during the last years before its closure in 1891.
Erected by Sun River Valley Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Native Americans.
Location. 47° 30.564′ N, 111° 49.2′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Undisputed Champions (a few steps from this marker); Fort Shaw (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer's Quarters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Fort Shaw (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sun River Crossing (approx. 5.3 miles away).
Also see . . . Indian 101: The Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School. The purpose of the Indian boarding schools, such as the Fort Shaw Indian School, was to strip from their students all vestiges of their Indian-ness. Thus, when the students arrived, they were stripped, their old clothes were often burned, and they were issued military-style uniforms. The boys would have their hair cut, as long hair was seen as incompatible with learning and American civilization. However, the general public was fascinated by Indians—Indians who looked like the stereotypes fostered by the Wild West Shows. (Submitted on January 1, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2019
2. Fort Shaw Government Industrial Indian School Marker, inverse
This monument is a project of The Sun River Valley Historical Society, Year 2004
Caption: Site of the former Military Post, and Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School viewed from the Northwest to Southeast. Photographed in 1914.
Caption: Site of the former Military Post, and Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School viewed from the Northwest to Southeast. Photographed in 1914.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 20, 2019
3. Fort Shaw Government Industrial Indian School Marker
The marker is on the left near the tower.
Photographed By Unknown
4. Before
Photographed By Unknown
5. After, but at what cost?
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 531 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
