Sanders in Treasure County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
The Yellowstone Valley
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2020
1. The Yellowstone Valley Marker
Inscription.
The Yellowstone Valley. . When William Clark passed through this area on July 27, 1806, he described "estonishingly noumerous" bison and elk as well as his last glimpse of the snow-clad Big Horn Mountains. Most importantly, his report of abundant beaver "sign" quickly drew fur trappers and traders to the area, who established several trading posts near the river. They maintained a vigorous trade with the Crow Indians, bartering beaver pelts and bison hides for vital trade goods. By the 1870's steamboats sporadically plied the waters of the Yellowstone carrying supplies to the posts and, in 1876, the FAR WEST carried wounded survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn downriver. The Northern Pacific Railway completed its line through here in 1882. , In 1912, regional Good Roads enthusiasts and county officials created one of the first interstate highways in the United States, the Yellowstone Trail. It was an interconnected network of county roads blazed by distinctive chrome yellow signs with black arrows. The 4,000 mile highway connected Plymouth Rock, Mass. and Seattle, Wash. with a branch to Yellowstone National Park. The route was re-designated U.S, Highway 10 in 1926.
When William Clark passed through this area on July 27, 1806, he described "estonishingly noumerous" bison and elk as well as his last glimpse of the snow-clad Big Horn Mountains. Most importantly, his report of abundant beaver "sign" quickly drew fur trappers and traders to the area, who established several trading posts near the river. They maintained a vigorous trade with the Crow Indians, bartering beaver pelts and bison hides for vital trade goods. By the 1870's steamboats sporadically plied the waters of the Yellowstone carrying supplies to the posts and, in 1876, the FAR WEST carried wounded survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn downriver. The Northern Pacific Railway completed its line through here in 1882.
In 1912, regional Good Roads enthusiasts and county officials created one of the first interstate highways in the United States, the Yellowstone Trail. It was an interconnected network of county roads blazed by distinctive chrome yellow signs with black arrows. The 4,000 mile highway connected Plymouth Rock, Mass. and Seattle, Wash. with a branch to Yellowstone National Park. The route was re-designated U.S, Highway 10 in 1926.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration
Location. 46° 17.439′ N, 107° 2.562′ W. Marker is in Sanders, Montana, in Treasure County. Marker is on Old Highway 10 near Cole Lane, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sanders MT 59076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Potential Fur Trade. "Discovering Lewis & Clark" entry: He (Clark)summarized the Yellowstone's attractions, directing most of his attention toward opportunities for immediate expansion of the fur trade. "Like all other branches of the missouri which penetrate the Rocky Mountains, all that portion of it lying within those mountains abound in fine beaver and Otter." (Submitted on January 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2020
2. The Yellowstone Valley Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.