Bridger in Carbon County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Jim Bridger, Mountain Man

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 11, 1997

1. Jim Bridger, Mountain Man Marker

Inscription. Jim Bridger arrived in Montana in 1822 as a member of a Rocky Mountain Fur Co. brigade. For years he had no more permanent home than a poker chip. He roamed the entire Rocky Mountain region and often came through this part of the country. A keen observer, a natural geographer and with years of experience amongst the Indians, he became invaluable as a guide and scout for wagon trains and Federal troops following the opening of the Oregon Trail.

He shares honors with John Colter for first discoveries in the Yellowstone Park country. He was prone to elaborate a trifle for the benefit of pilgrims and it was Jim who embroidered his story of the petrified forest by asserting that he had seen “a peetrified bird sitting on a petrified tree singing a peetrified song.”

The Clark Fork of the Yellowstone was named for Capt. Wm. Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Chief Joseph led his band of Nez Perce Indians down this river when he made his famous retreat in the summer of 1877.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities •

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Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 45° 17.466′ N, 108° 54.858′ W. Marker is in Bridger, Montana, in Carbon County. It is on U.S. 310. This marker and statue of Jim Bridger are located in a small city park on the right of side of the road going north to Bridger MT. It is near Clarks Fork Yellowstone River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bridger MT 59014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Yellowstone Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Jim Bridger, Mountain Man (a few steps from this marker); Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage (approx. 0.3

Jim Bridger, Mountain Man Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 11, 1997

2. Jim Bridger, Mountain Man Statue

miles away); The Corey House (approx. half a mile away); A Trail Woefully Hard to Travel: The Bridger Cut-Off (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Pryor Mountains and Raptor Country (approx. 3.2 miles away); The Pryor Mountains (approx. 3.2 miles away); John Gibson House (approx. 7 miles away); Samuel and Jennie Greenblatt Residence (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridger.

Clarks Fork Yellowstone River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 11, 1997

3. Clarks Fork Yellowstone River

Speed Limits-Montana image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 11, 1997

4. Speed Limits-Montana

Note speed limit during the day-Reasonable and Prudent

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 804 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 9, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.