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. 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

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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 is in Carter, Montana, in Chouteau County. It 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 U.S Highway 87, Carter MT 59420, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Montana, in Missouri River Country,

and specifically in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 15 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Exploring to the South (here, next to this marker); Portaging Across the Prairie (approx. 13½ miles away); Sulphur Spring: Healing Waters (approx. 13.6 miles away);

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2022

2. Great Falls of the Missouri Marker

Walking Sacred Ground (approx. 13.7 miles away); Flowing Free for Miles (approx. 14.6 miles away); Land of Many Uses / Sulphur Springs Hiking Trail / Lewis and Clark Reach the Rapids (approx. 14.8 miles away).

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.)

Great Falls of the Missouri before construction of the Ryan Dam image. Click for full size.

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 195 times since then and 20 times this year. 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.