Near Toston in Broadwater County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Lewis and Clark Trail
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2021
1. Lewis and Clark Trail Marker
The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed this way on their westward trek across the continent. Expedition members camped on the west side of the Missouri River on July 25, 1805, a short distance upstream from present day Toston Dam. It was near this location on July 26, that Captain Meriwether Lewis discovered that Captain Meriwether Lewis discovers and described Stipa comata, commonly know Needle and Thread grass.
Captain Clark also identified the large spring on a map which still can be seen today .5 mile below the dam.
The rocky cliffs on either side of the river, downstream from this location, were significant landmarks previously described to the expedition leaders by Indian informants at Fort Mandan-in present day North Dakota. The cliffs were described as the "Little Gates of the Mountains," where in the informants terms, the second chain of Rocky Mountains approached the river. The more notable "Gate of the Rocky Mountains" are located approximately 60 miles downstream.
Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Bureau of Land Management, State of Montana.
Topics and series.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2021
2. Lewis and Clark Trail Marker
this page online
Location. 46° 7.303′ N, 111° 24.553′ W. Marker is near Toston, Montana, in Broadwater County. Marker is on Toston Dam Road. The marker is located at the southern terminus of Toston Dam Road near the campground. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toston MT 59643, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Toston Smelter (approx. 3.8 miles away); Toston Bridge (approx. 3.8 miles away); Lorentz Homestead (approx. 3.9 miles away); Yorks Islands (approx. 10.8 miles away); Roll of Honor (approx. 12.6 miles away); Trident (approx. 12.6 miles away); The Upper Missouri (approx. 13.2 miles away); Lewis and Clark reach the Headwaters (approx. 14.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toston.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
