Near Pinedale in Sublette County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Naming of a Lake
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2015
1. The Naming of a Lake Marker
Sir William Drummond Stewart of Scotland can be called Wyoming's first tourist. Stewart attended every summer rendezvous from 1833 to 1838, during the heyday of the mountain man fur trade. Four of those gatherings took place nearby, at the confluence of Horse Creek and the Green River. This magnificent glacier-carved lake must have been one of Stewart's favorite spots. Artist Alfred Jacob Miller accompanied Stewart in 1837 and painted the first pictures of the area, including the mountain lakes that inspired both men.
Although the last rendezvous was held in 1840, Stewart and mountain man William Sublette returned one more time in 1843. They camped here for 10 days in August, visited old Shoshone Indian and trapper friends, and raced horses on a flat to the west near the New Fork River. Stewart and a small party floated to the head of the lake in an India-rubber boat brought especially for that purpose. At that time this lake was called both Stewart's Lake and Loch Drummond.
The year before, in 1842, explorer John C. Fremont had made his first trip west, and guided by Kit Carson, climbed what he thought was the highest summit
this page online
At 9 miles long, 1 mile wide and 600 feet deep, Fremont Lake is the second largest natural lake in Wyoming.
Erected by Sublette County Museum Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 42° 53.441′ N, 109° 49.866′ W. Marker is near Pinedale, Wyoming, in Sublette County. Marker is on Fremont Lake Road near Osprey Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Fremont Lake Road, Pinedale WY 82941, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pinedale Historic District (approx. 2.3 miles away); A Pause on a Journey (approx. 2˝ miles away); Welcome to the Riparian Community of Duck Creek (approx. 5.8 miles away); Upper Green River Rendezvous (approx. 7.7 miles away); Rendezvous on the Green River (approx. 7.7 miles away); The Green River Drift (approx. 7.7 miles away);
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 12, 2015
2. The Naming of a Lake Marker
Also see . . .
1. The Artist and the Laird - Antiques and Fine Art. In New Orleans one early spring morning in 1837, Alfred Miller (1810–1874), a young artist ... was surprised by the appearance of a stranger ... The visitor was William Drummond Stewart, a Scottish ex-army officer who was planning a hunting expedition to the Rockies. Stewart must have liked what he saw of Miller’s work, for he subsequently invited him to join the expedition... (Submitted on November 25, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. William Drummond Stewart - Wikipedia. Sir William Drummond Stewart, 7th Baronet (26 December 1795 - 28 April 1871) was a Scottish adventurer and British military officer. He traveled extensively in the American West for nearly seven years in the 1830s. In 1837 he took along the American artist, Alfred Jacob Miller, hiring him to do sketches of the trip. (Submitted on November 25, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Alfred Jacob Miller, circa 1837
3. William Drummond Stewart
Photographed By Alfred Jacob Miller, circa 1854
4. Lake in Wind River Country by Alfred Jacob Miller
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 25, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
