Near Ismay in Custer County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Powder River and the Red Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2020

1. The Powder River and the Red Trail Marker

Inscription. This is the river that many claim is a mile wide, an inch deep, and runs uphill. That statement may be exaggerated, but Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition commented on its color and called it "disagreeably muddy." Clark named it the Redstone River. The Mandan and Hidatsa people called it the "War-Rah-Sash." which roughly translates as Powder River. Clark and his party camped just across the Yellowstone from the mouth of the Powder on the night of July 30th, 1806. When Clark passed through here, he noted the great number of bears and buffalo in the area.
This highway was once known as US 10, but originated even earlier than that as the old road between Glendive and Miles City in the early 1880s. By 1912, it was known as the Red Trail, a tourist association automobile route that provided a connection between Fargo, North Dakota and the Yellowstone Trail at Miles City. Motorists on the highway followed white and red blazes painted on fence posts along the road. For a short time, it was also part of the National Park Highway.
Built in 1946, the steel bridge over the Powder River was the last through truss bridge

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

constructed in Montana.

Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1806.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 46° 25.586′ N, 105° 18.716′ W. Marker was near Ismay, Montana, in Custer County. It was on U.S. 12 near Powder River Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Ismay MT 59336, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country and in the Powder River Basin.

It was also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. within

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2020

2. The Powder River and the Red Trail Marker

walking distance of this location:

Another marker is no longer nearby. Powder River (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker replaces an earlier Powder River marker.

The Powder River and the last trough truss bridge constructed in Montana image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2020

3. The Powder River and the last trough truss bridge constructed in Montana

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 641 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.