West Glacier in Flathead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Historic Boats

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 21, 2011

1. Historic Boats Marker

Inscription. In 1895 there were no roads along Lake McDonald. Tourists arrived at this dock by wood-fired steamboat after getting off the train at Belton Depot and bumping along in a wagon to Apgar Landing.

The steamboat F.I. Whitney was the first boat to transport visitors and supplies on Lake McDonald. According to one passenger, “It was too hot below deck by the boiler, and if you rode topside, sparks burned holes in your clothes.” It was an adventure in transportation just to reach the threshold of the mountains.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 48° 37.059′ N, 113° 52.748′ W. Marker is in West Glacier, Montana, in Flathead County. It can be reached from Lake McDonald Lodge Loop 0.1 miles west of Going-To-The-Sun-Road. Marker is located in front of the Lake McDonald Lodge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Glacier MT 59936, 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

& 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wilderness Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Time Machines (within shouting distance of this marker); A Glacial Lake (approx. half a mile away); Horns (approx. 9.1 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 9.1 miles away); Belton Chalet (approx. 9½ miles away); Historic Belton Depot (approx. 9½ miles away); Choosing a Route (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Glacier.

More about this marker. On the upper right is a photo with the caption, "In 1906 the Emeline was the first gas-powered commercial passenger boat on the lake."

On the lower panel is a photo of "The DeSmet, launched in 1930, continues to provide a bit of the adventure early visitors experienced on Lake McDonald."

Also see . . . Glacier National Park.

The <i>Emiline</i> image. Click for full size.

July 21, 2011

2. The Emiline

U.S. National Park Service (Submitted on July 26, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 21, 2011

3. Historic Boats Marker

The <i>DeSmet</i> on Lake McDonald image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 21, 2011

4. The DeSmet on Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald Lodge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 21, 2011

5. Lake McDonald Lodge

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 833 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 28, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.