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
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: Indigenous Peoples and Communities
this page online
Location. 47° 34.564′ N, 115° 10.312′ W. Marker is in Thompson Falls, Montana, in Sanders County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana and in Glacier Country. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mountain (Bighorn) Sheep (here, next to this marker); Pend d'Oreille Hunting Grounds (here, next to this marker); Saleesh House (approx. 7.2 miles away); Road to the Buffalo (approx. 7.2 miles away); David Thompson (approx. 7.2 miles away); Fort Thompson Playground (approx. 8.1 miles away); Weber's Store (approx. 8.1 miles away); Bedard House (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thompson Falls.
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
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 December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
