Near Big Timber in Sweet Grass County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Clark the Cartographer

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

1. Clark the Cartographer Marker

Captions: (background) Captain William Clark obtaining a compass bearing from point of observation to another, a process known as shooting a bearing.; (maps, bottom right, top & bottom) Clarks map - July 16-18, 1806; Contemporary Map.

Inscription. Captain William Clark was the primary cartographer for the Corps of Discovery. With very little training prior to the expedition, he created maps based on field sketches, celestial readings, and compass brings that were an invaluable contribution to knowledge. Not only did they dispel the myth of the Northwest Passage, they also recorded previously uncharted lands and paved the way for westward expansion and opportunity.

Several creeks in the Yellowstone Valley were named after Corp of Discovery members or dramatic incidents. Private Gibson was thrown from his horse and pierced his thigh on a snag. The wound, two inches deep, left him in great pain. Clark named a creek "Thy Snag'd Creek."

Using mostly a surveyor's compass, field observations and estimates, Clark drew nearly 5,000 mils of new mapping. Amazingly, his measurements were only off by a mere 5%.

Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list.

Location. 45° 49.465′ N,

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109° 57.915′ W. Marker is near Big Timber, Montana, in Sweet Grass County. It is on I-90 Frontage Road near U.S. 191, in the median. This marker is in the garden at the Crazy Mountain Museum. The museum is located at the end of the frontage road on the south side of Interstate 90, MP 367. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Timber MT 59011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Yellowstone Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

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 Lewis and Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); "...all in blume..." (here, next to this marker); A busy three days in Sweet Grass County (here, next to this marker); Clark camps at Little Timber Creek (here, next to this marker); The Bonanza or Bozeman Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

2. Clark the Cartographer Marker

(approx. half a mile away); St. Mark's Episcopal Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Carnegie Public Library (approx. 0.8 miles away); Grand Hotel (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Timber.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 378 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.