Carter in Chouteau County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Great Falls of the Missouri
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2022
1. Great Falls of the Missouri Marker
Caption: (upper left( Great Falls of the Missouri; (lower right) Buffalo on the Plains, John Mix Stanley, 1853
Inscription.
Great Falls of the Missouri. . On June 12, 1805 Captain Lewis left Grog Springs, climbed up to the plains and headed "West of S.W." with Drewyer, Gibson, Goodrich and Joseph Field. After a twelve-mile hike, they returned to the river for water were they killed tow large grizzlies and ate part of one. Lewis left a note for Clark, telling him of his progress. The men climbed back onto the plain and walked twelve more miles before returning to the river to camp. They caught a dozen fish using deer spleen as bait. The next morning they again returned to the prairie and Lewis commented, "I overlooked a most beautiful and level plain of great extent" and noted the Snowy Mountains (Highwood Mts.) to the south/ "In this there were infinitely more buffalo than I had ever before witnesses at a view." , Following another twelve-mile walk, Lewis heard the "agreeable sound of falling water" and a little further on he saw what he thought was a plume of smoke. They had found the Great Falls of the Missouri at last.
On June 12, 1805 Captain Lewis left Grog Springs, climbed up to the plains and headed "West of S.W." with Drewyer, Gibson, Goodrich and Joseph Field. After a twelve-mile hike, they returned to the river for water were they killed tow large grizzlies and ate part of one. Lewis left a note for Clark, telling him of his progress. The men climbed back onto the plain and walked twelve more miles before returning to the river to camp. They caught a dozen fish using deer spleen as bait. The next morning they again returned to the prairie and Lewis commented, "I overlooked a most beautiful and level plain of great extent" and noted the Snowy Mountains (Highwood Mts.) to the south/ "In this there were infinitely more buffalo than I had ever before witnesses at a view."
Following another twelve-mile walk, Lewis heard the "agreeable sound of falling water" and a little further on he saw what he thought was a plume of smoke. They had found the Great Falls of the Missouri at last.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 12, 1805.
Location. 47° 47.038′ N, 110° 57.636′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker
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is in Carter, Montana, in Chouteau County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and Carter Road (U.S. 87), on the right when traveling west on U.S. Highway 87. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26885 US Highway 87, Carter MT 59420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this location. Exploring to the South (here, next to this marker).
Also see . . . Great Falls of the Missouri River -- Intermountain Histories. When they found the Great Falls of the Missouri in June 1805, Lewis and Clark were relieved to be on the right path, but faced a difficult portage over the feature.(Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2022
2. Great Falls of the Missouri Marker
Photographed By M.L. DeLong
3. Great Falls of the Missouri before construction of the Ryan Dam
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on May 1, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
