Thompson Falls in Sanders County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Bad Rock Trail
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
1. Bad Rock Trail Marker
Inscription.
Bad Rock Trail. . The nearby Bad Rock Trail was an important route for the aboriginal people who inhabited northwest Montana. The first documented account of the trail was by North West Company trader David Thompson in 1809. Located within sight of the company's trading post, Saleesh House, he reported that it was the scene of many battles between the Kootenai, Salish and the Blackfeet people. Over the ensuing years, the trail became a much cured obstacle on the rod that led up the Clark Fork. It was used by a parade of western notables, including explorers Issac Stevens and John Mullan and by copper-king William A. Clark. Shortly after crossing over Bad Rock in 1841 Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet wrote "I had before seen landscapes of awful grandeur, but this one supposed all others in horror. My courage failed at the first sight." , In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway blasted away portions of the trail to complete its transcontinental line. The process was repeated in 1936 when the Montana Department of Transportation constructed this segment of the highway. Bad Rock Trail continues to be a commanding presence on Highway 200 in northwest Montana.
The nearby Bad Rock Trail was an important route for the aboriginal people who inhabited northwest Montana. The first documented account of the trail was by North West Company trader David Thompson in 1809. Located within sight of the company's trading post, Saleesh House, he reported that it was the scene of many battles between the Kootenai, Salish and the Blackfeet people. Over the ensuing years, the trail became a much cured obstacle on the rod that led up the Clark Fork. It was used by a parade of western notables, including explorers Issac Stevens and John Mullan and by copper-king William A. Clark. Shortly after crossing over Bad Rock in 1841 Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet wrote "I had before seen landscapes of awful grandeur, but this one supposed all others in horror. My courage failed at the first sight."
In 1883, the Northern Pacific Railway blasted away portions of the trail to complete its transcontinental line. The process was repeated in 1936 when the Montana Department of Transportation constructed this segment of the highway. Bad Rock Trail continues to be a commanding presence on Highway 200 in northwest Montana.
Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.
Location.
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47° 34.564′ N, 115° 10.312′ W. Marker is in Thompson Falls, Montana, in Sanders County. Marker is on State Highway 200 at milepost 59 near Fruitland Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thompson Falls MT 59873, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Road to the Buffalo. Historically a number of tribes lived in and traveled through the Clark Fork River corridor. Among them were the Kalispel and Pend d'Oreille, the Kootenai, the Nez Perce, the Spokanes and the Coeur d'Alenes along with other Columbia River Plateau tribes as well as the Blackfeet whose territory was primarily to the east of the Rocky Mountains.(Submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2022
2. Bad Rock Trail Marker
Photographed By Linda Haywood
3. Bad Rock and theTrail
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 123 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
