Twin Bridges in Madison County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Recognizing her people's land
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2021
1. Recognizing her people's land Marker
August 1805 - The Corps of Discovery struggled upriver toward the Rockies. Illness and injury, along with the increasingly difficult river passage, had eroded the group's morale. But the afternoon of the 8th brought a much needed lift, when expedition guide Sacagawea announced that she recognized a familiar landscape. Her people, the Lemhi Shoshoni, would be close by - with food, supplies, information, and most importantly, horses, for the journey ahead. The landmark that Sacajawea recognized was Beaverhead Rock, which lies approximately twelve miles ahead. On August 8th, 1805, Meriwether Lewis wrote: "this hill she says her nation calls the beaver's head from a conceived resemblance of it's figure to that head of that animal."
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"...the Indian Woman recognizes the point of a high plain...which she informed us was not very distant from the summer retreat of her nation." - Meriwether Lewis, August 08, 1805
Sacagawea, carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste, was about fifteen years old when she helped guide the Corps of Discovery through Southern Montana.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Natural Features • Women. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 8, 1805.
Location. 45° 32.607′ N, 112° 20.014′ W. Marker is in Twin Bridges, Montana, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Fairgrounds Loop Road near State Highway 41. The marker is in the the gazebo at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Fairgrounds Loop Road, Twin Bridges MT 59754, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Which way did they go? (here, next to this marker); Jefferson River - Beaverhead River (here, next to this marker); "...a handsome little river..." (here, next to this marker); Sacajawea, "Pomp" and Seaman (a few steps from this marker); Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Fairgrounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Square Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Road Agent Trail (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Twin Bridges.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2021
2. Recognizing her people's land Marker, on the right
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2021
3. Gazebo at the Madison County Fairgrounds
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
