Near Fort Peck in McCone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

"these appearances of cottonwood were quite reviving"

Lewis & Clark at the Milk River

June 21, 2026

1. "these appearances of cottonwood were quite reviving" Marker

Inscription. Lofty, hearty and a marvel of adaptation, the cottonwood contributed more to the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition than any other western tree. Time and time again, Lewis and Clark described camp sites where clumps of these trees, with their umbrella-like crowns of leaves, screen the sun's rays or diverted the water of a prairie downpour. Throughout their journey, not only was the cottonwood welcome shade, it was used for food, shelter and canoe-like dugouts. It fueled their fires, fed their horses and was used to make wagon wheels. It was also home to geese and beaver, which were favorite foods of the Expedition.

A staple of the prairie, the cottonwood was equally important to the plains Indians. They used it to build lodges, they ate its sweet, inner bark and sap and fed its twigs and bark to their horses. Dyes and paints were extracted from the cottonwood, medicine was created, teas were made and sap was even rubbed on bodies to mask their scent when approaching an enemy.

"we also saw this evening emence quantities of timber cut by the beaver which appeared to have been done the preceeding year, in place particularly they had cut all the timber down for three acres in front and on nearly one back from the river and had removed a considerable proportion of it, the timber grew very thick and some of it was as large as a man's body."
—Captain M. Lewis, May 9, 1805

Captain

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Lewis noted while observing the Milk River, "the bottoms of this stream ar wide, level, fertile and possess a considerable proportion of timber, principally Cottonwood."
—Captain M. Lewis, May 8, 1805

Both black cottonwood and plains cottonwood are found in northeast Montana, but the plains, or broad-leaved cottonwood, is more common and can be seen growing along the banks of the Missouri and Milk Rivers below you. Historically, seasonal flooding scoured moist floodplains and riverbanks, creating perfect seedbeds for cottonwoods. Today, in the absence of regular flooding, cottonwoods are less numerous than in the days of Lewis and Clark.

Cottonwoods on the Missouri, Karl Bodmer, 1833; Joclyn Art Museum

Excerpts taken from: The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: Volume Four, April 7- July 27, 1805. Gary E. Moulton, Editor.

Erected by US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with Travel Montana, Dept. of Commerce, Montana's Missouri River Country.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry

June 21, 2026

2. "these appearances of cottonwood were quite reviving" Marker

The Missouri River can be seen in the distance.

• Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1805.

Location. 48° 1.743′ N, 106° 19.175′ W. Marker is near Fort Peck, Montana, in McCone County. It can be reached from L and C Observation Road 0.2 miles north of Fort Peck Tower Hill Road. Located at the Lewis & Clark Milk River Observation Point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashua MT 59248, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

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 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to the Milk River Observation Point (here, next to this marker); "...much broken grannite...scattered...in a confused manner" (a few steps

"these appearances of cottonwood were quite reviving" Marker (left) image. Click for full size.

June 21, 2026

3. "these appearances of cottonwood were quite reviving" Marker (left)

The confluence of the Missouri and Milk Rivers can be seen in the distant background, on the left side above this marker.

from this marker); "we do not wish to see those gentlemen" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Milk River Observation Point (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Peck Spillway (approx. 1.6 miles away); Peculiar White Water Named the Milk River (approx. 3½ miles away); With No Running Water, the Stream was called Big Dry River (approx. 3½ miles away); Summits of High Hills Were Covered with Pine (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Peck.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2026. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2026.