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.
Missouri River Headwaters. . 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.
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.
Location. 45° 54.065′ N, 111° 31.256′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. Marker 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.
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 474 times since then and 24 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.
