Worden in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Buffalo: Then and Now

August 1, 1806 Encampment

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2020

1. Buffalo: Then and Now Marker

Inscription. At the time of Lewis and Clark's journey, it is estimated that there were from 30 to 60 million free ranging buffalo on America's Great Plains. These animals were the main sustenance of the American Plains Indians as well as a critical food source for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Due to massive slaughter by buffalo hunters who killed the bison for their hides in the 1880s, by 1890 only about 1,000 buffalo remained on the prairie. It is estimated that there are more than 350,000 bison in the United States today from Alaska to Florida and from New York to California. Roughly two thirds of those are privately owned.

"at 2 P.M. I was obliged to land to let the Buffalow Cross over. not withstanding a island of half a mile in width over which this gangue of Buffalow has to pass and the Chanel of the river on each Side nearly 1/4 of a mile in width, this gangue of Buffalow was entirely across and as thick as they could swim." - William Clark, August 1, 1806

Erected by Bureau of Land Management and National Conservation Lands.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals

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• Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 1, 1806.

Location. 45° 59.66′ N, 108° 0.069′ W. Marker is in Worden, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It can be reached from State Highway 312 near South 31st Road, on the right when traveling west. This marker is on The "Yellowstone River" Walkway at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 Highway 312, Worden MT 59088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Billings.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

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 walking distance of this marker: The "Yellowstone River" Walkway (a few steps from this marker); Coal: Black Wave of the Future (a few steps from this marker);

"A Herd of Buffalo Crossing a River Bottom on the Upper Missouri" by W.J. Hays image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wellcomeimages

2. "A Herd of Buffalo Crossing a River Bottom on the Upper Missouri" by W.J. Hays

A Good Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Triumph and Torment (within shouting distance of this marker); Open Spaces: Room to Roam (within shouting distance of this marker); Sign of American Indians (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Making Canoes, Then and Now (about 400 feet away); Clark's Canoe Camp on the Yellowstone, Archaeology Study (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Worden.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Mid-distance view of the marker. • Can you help?