Near Livingston in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Indians, Explorers & Cowboys

From Encampments to Ranching

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

1. Indians, Explorers & Cowboys Marker

Captions: (bottom left) Located over there first hill to the west, this barn was originally built for a dairy that operated here in the early 1900s. The railroad stopped pick up milk for delivery to "resorts" in Yellowstone National Park; (panorama across the bottom, L to R) Yellowstone River ("Elk River to the Crow Tribe)., Area where Captain Clark and crew camped July, 15, 1806., The bloody Bozeman Trail used by fortune-hunters throughout the frontier era, came across this side of Sheep Mountain, which the Crow Tribe named after their word for "flesher," the tool people used to scrape bits of flesh off dear and buffalo hides., Site of Fort Parker and the original Crow Agency, 1868-1875 (corner posts mark its location)., Mission Creek (bottom of trees) the Crow called it "Where There Is A Fork In The Coulee"., Mission Ranch Bed & Breakfast (behind trees), operating since 2002.

Inscription. The interstate highway nearby mirrors a path travelers have used for centuries. Even long before the days of Lewis and Clark, members of the Crow Tribe came to this area in an annual rendezvous that was central to their culture. The tribe's nomadic families spent their winters living on warmer plains to the east, and in summertime headquartered around here, north the Absaroka Mountain Range.
On July 15, 1806, Captain William A. Clark camped near here on the north side of the Yellowstone River. He and his crew were exploring this route on their return to St. Louis, while a separate group led by Meriwether Lewis followed the Missouri River. Anxious to rendezvous with Lewis at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, Clark and his party traveled quickly through the area. Ensuing travelers stayed longer, and the present-day Mission Ranch became the site of Fort Parker, where a treaty establishing the Crow Indian Reservation and subsequent Crow Agency was signed in 1868.
Named for Mission Creek, the present-day ranch began operating in 1947 and manages the 4,100 privately owned acres now surrounding it.

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Stewardship.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 1806.

Location. 45° 42.621′ N, 110° 24.194′ W. Marker is near Livingston, Montana, in Park County. It is on Mission Creek Road (at milepost 343), ¼ mile Interstate 90, on the right when traveling north. The marker is about 1/4 mile south of the intersection of Mission Creek Road and Interstate 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Livingston MT 59047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2021

2. Indians, Explorers & Cowboys Marker

as the crow flies: Fort Parker (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Mission Ranch (here, next to this marker); "to Cook and eate Dinner" (approx. 1.4 miles away); Named in Honor of John Shields (approx. 2.8 miles away); Heading down the Yellowstone (approx. 6.7 miles away); KPRK Radio (approx. 7.1 miles away); 810 East Callender Street (approx. 7.8 miles away); 802 East Callender Street (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2022, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.