Near Plains in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Flathead House
Famed American mountain man Jedediah Smith and seven companions unexpectedly showed up at Flathead House in November 1824. Under the leadership of John McLoughlin had HBC had worked for years to keep American fur trappers out to the Oregon country west of the continental divide. Company manager Peter Skene Ogden called Smith's arrival "that damn'd all cursed day." His appearance at the remote trading post signaled the beginning of the end of an HBC policy that had stripped much of western Montana of its beaver in a effort to keep the Americans out of the territory.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1824.
Location. 47° 31.527′ N, 115° 0.251′ W. Marker is near Plains, Montana, in Sanders County. Marker is on State Highway 200 at milepost 67 near Old Hicks Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plains MT 59859, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Road to the Buffalo (here, next to this marker); Sanctuary for Wetland Wildlife (here, next to this marker); Wild Horse Plains (approx. 7.6 miles away); Pend d'Oreille Hunting Grounds (approx. 8.6 miles away); Mountain (Bighorn) Sheep (approx. 8.6 miles away); Bad Rock Trail (approx. 8.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Three Flathead House Locations. In the fall of 1809, three short years after the Corps of Discovery had passed through the region, North West Company (NWCo) trader-explorer-surveyor David Thompson reached the valley of the river named by Lewis and Clark—Clark's Fork of the Columbia. Thompson called it the Saleesh River. Thompson was the first European to establish a permanent business in the region when he built two trading posts along the banks of the Saleesh. (Submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
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 88 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.