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, Mountain Man. . 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.
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.
is in Bridger, Montana, in Carbon County. Marker 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.
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 524 times since then and 29 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.
