Near Worden in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Pompey's Pillar
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 2, 2010
1. Pompey's Pillar Marker
Inscription.
Pompey's Pillar. . Called Iishiia Anaache or "Place Where the Mountain Lion Dwells" by the Apsaalooka (Crow) people, Pompey's Pillar was a well-known landmark to the Plains Indians. It was here, at a strategic natural crossing of the Yellowstone, or Elk River as it was known to the Apsaalooka, that the Indian people met to trade and exchange information. They painted pictographs and etched petroglyphs onto the sheer cliffs of the feature. Apsaalooka legend reports that Pompey's Pillar was once attached to the sandstone bluffs on the north side of the river. At one point, however, the rock detached itself from the cliffs and rolled across the river to its present site. , Pompey's Pillar was also a significant landmark for Euro-American explorers, fur trappers, soldiers and immigrants. It was discovered by Canadian North West Company employee Francois Larocque in 1805. A little less than a year later, on July 25, 1806, it was visited by a 12 man detachment under the command of William Clark that included Sacajawea and her infant son. Clark carved his name and the date on the rock and named it in honor of Sacajawea's son. He was just one of hundreds of individuals who for generations have left their marks on the rock.
Called Iishiia Anaache or "Place Where the Mountain Lion Dwells" by the Apsaalooka (Crow) people, Pompey's Pillar was a well-known landmark to the Plains Indians. It was here, at a strategic natural crossing of the Yellowstone, or Elk River as it was known to the Apsaalooka, that the Indian people met to trade and exchange information. They painted pictographs and etched petroglyphs onto the sheer cliffs of the feature. Apsaalooka legend reports that Pompey's Pillar was once attached to the sandstone bluffs on the north side of the river. At one point, however, the rock detached itself from the cliffs and rolled across the river to its present site.
Pompey's Pillar was also a significant landmark for Euro-American explorers, fur trappers, soldiers and immigrants. It was discovered by Canadian North West Company employee Francois Larocque in 1805. A little less than a year later, on July 25, 1806, it was visited by a 12 man detachment under the command of William Clark that included Sacajawea and her infant son. Clark carved his name and the date on the rock and named it in honor of Sacajawea's son. He was just one of
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hundreds of individuals who for generations have left their marks on the rock.
Location. 45° 59.231′ N, 108° 0.298′ W. Marker is near Worden, Montana, in Yellowstone County. It is on Old Highway 312 0.3 miles east of Bundy Rd, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located near entrance road to Pompey's Pillar National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Worden MT 59088, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country and in Greater Billings. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Another marker is no longer nearby. Pompeys Pillar (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 2, 2010
3. Mark of William Clark on Pompey's Pillar
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,216 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
