Near Ekalaka in Carter County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Ekalaka
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2020
1. Ekalaka Marker
Some people claim an old buffalo hunter figured that starting a thirst emporium for parched cowpunchers on this end of the range would furnish him a more lucrative and interesting vocation than downing buffalo. He picks a location and was hauling a load of logs to erect his proposed edifice for the eradication of ennui when he bogged sown in a snowdrift. "Hell," he exclaimed, "Any place in Montana is a good place for a saloon," so he unloaded and built her right there. That was the traditional start of Ekalaka in the '80s and the old undaunted pioneer spirit of the West still lingers here.
When it became a town it was named after an Indian girl, for on the Powder River, who was the daughter of Eagle Man, an Oglala Sioux. She was a nice of the War Chief, Red Cloud, and was also related to Sitting Bull. She became the wife of David H. Russel, the first white man to settle permanently in this locality.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 45° 54.263′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Montana, in Custer Country and in the Powder River Basin. It is 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 is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First National Bank of Ekalaka / Rickard Hardware Building (approx. 1.1 miles away); Inyan-oka-la-ka (approx. 9.9 miles away); Home on the Range (approx. 10.1 miles away); A River Ran Through It (approx. 10.1 miles away); Prairie Island (approx. 10.1 miles
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2020
2. Ekalaka Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,138 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
