Dorothy V. Johnson Park in Plains in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Wild Horse Plains
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
1. Wild Horse Plains Marker
Inscription.
Wild Horse Plains is nestled in a circular valley at an elevation of 2,450 ft., drained by the Clark Fork River. Between 70,000 and 130,000 years ago the Bull Lake ice age glaciers dammed the Clark Fork River Valley creating Glacial Lake Missoula. All of the waters from the Clark Fork River drainage backed up to form a Lake. When the ice dam broke, the Clark Fork River carried more water than the combined flow of all the streams of the world. , In the early 1800's Native American tribes traveled through the area. The fertile valley was used for wintering their ponies, harvesting salmon, and holding great councils. Mountain men, trappers, surveyors, and map makers were soon to follow. , White settlers began their movement in the valley in the late 1860's. During the decades to follow farming, ranching, and lumbering would flourish in the valley. , The Northern Pacific Railway arrived in 1881-1883 and the town began to increase in size and importance. Businesses flourished and eventually the name was shortened to Horse Plains and finally to Plains
Wild Horse Plains is nestled in a circular valley at an elevation of 2,450 ft., drained by the Clark Fork River. Between 70,000 and 130,000 years ago the Bull Lake ice age glaciers dammed the Clark Fork River Valley creating Glacial Lake Missoula. All of the waters from the Clark Fork River drainage backed up to form a Lake. When the ice dam broke, the Clark Fork River carried more water than the combined flow of all the streams of the world.
In the early 1800's Native American tribes traveled through the area. The fertile valley was used for wintering their ponies, harvesting salmon, and holding great councils. Mountain men, trappers, surveyors, and map makers were soon to follow.
White settlers began their movement in the valley in the late 1860's. During the decades to follow farming, ranching, and lumbering would flourish in the valley.
The Northern Pacific Railway arrived in 1881-1883 and the town began to increase in size and importance. Businesses flourished and eventually the name was shortened to Horse Plains and finally to Plains
Location. 47° 27.354′ N, 114° 52.656′ W. Marker is in Plains, Montana, in Sanders
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County. It is in Dorothy V. Johnson Park. Marker is at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and McGowan Street, on the right when traveling west on Railroad Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Railroad Avenue, Plains MT 59859, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Original Wild Horse Plains Log Schoolhouse built 1878
Plaque left of the door reads, "In Memory of Wild Horse Plains Pioneers 1878 - 1976."
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
4. Wild Horse Plains Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
5. Original Wild Horse Plains Log Schoolhouse built 1878
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.