Near Three Forks in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Missouri River Headwaters

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

1. Missouri River Headwaters Marker

Inscription. Approx.. 2 miles north on the Trident Road (#286) is the confluence of the Jefferson and Madison Rivers. A mile further downstream you can view the Gallatin River merging to form the headwaters of the Missouri River, the longest U.S. river. (approx.. 2500 miles) In 1804 at the bidding of President Jefferson, Lewis and Clark and several men came up the Missouri River from St. Louis, Missouri. In Mandan (now North Dakota) a young Shoshone girl named Sacajawea, her husband Charbonneau, and baby Pomp joined the group. The expedition continued following the Missouri River and arrived at the headwaters of the Missouri River July 1805. For many years Indian tribes travelled through the Missouri headwaters and the Gallatin valley to and from buffalo hunts. The chert (fine grained quartz crystals) mine located across the Missouri River at the mouth of the Gallatin River was used by Indians for making arrows, tools, and trading with other tribes.

Erected 2002 by The Montana Cultural Trust The Gallatin County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1805.

Location. 45° 54.065′ N, 111° 31.256′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is on Frontage Road (County Route 205), on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Frontage Road, at exit 278 on I-90 just east of the Madison River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 743 Frontage Road, Three Forks MT 59752, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yellowstone Country

and in Greater Bozeman.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gallatin City

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

2. Missouri River Headwaters Marker

(a few steps from this marker); The Three Forks of the Missouri (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Park (approx. 1½ miles away); The 442nd (approx. 1½ miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church, Three Forks (approx. 1½ miles away); Headwaters of the Missouri River (approx. 1½ miles away); Native Americans (approx. 1½ miles away); European Interest in the Missouri (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Forks.

Additional keywords. Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

3. Missouri River Headwaters Marker

two markers at this site

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

4. Missouri River Headwaters Marker

the Madison River, I-90 in the background. Town of Three Forks is beyond, out of sight.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,033 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.