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

The Naming of a River

The Headwaters of the Missouri River

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

1. The Naming of a River Marker

Inscription. Many nations traveled and lived along these banks, giving their own names to the river. “Missouri” is the official name given by the U.S. Geological Survey. It dates back to French explorer Jacques Marquette’s journal and 1673 map of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. His Algonquian-speaking guides called the people living at the mouth of the Missouri River “8emessourit,” * meaning “people with canoes (made of logs).” Over time, the name was simplified to “Missouri” and became the river’s name as well. Eventually the connection between the name and the people Marquette referred to was lost. However, the name “Missouri” became so popular that it is now used in over 300 geographic names. * In 16th and 17th century French, the letter 8 represents an “oo” or “w” sound, later written “ou”
(Marquette’s map)
(Portrait of an “8emessourit” man c. 1834, by Karl Bodmer

Erected by PPL Montana.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Exploration

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• Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 45° 55.564′ N, 111° 30.207′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. It is on Trident Road (County Route 286), on the left when traveling north. Marker is one of many in Headwaters State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3609 Trident 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: Jefferson’s Instructions to Lewis and Clark (a few steps from this marker); Lewis and Clark reach the Headwaters (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas-Frederick Flour Mill

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

2. The Naming of a River Marker

Full view of marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away); The Log Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away); Colter’s Run (approx. half a mile away); Second Gallatin City (approx. half a mile away); Gallatin City Hotel - 1868 (approx. half a mile away); The Upper Missouri (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Forks.

Additional keywords. Marquette and Joliet

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

3. The Naming of a River Marker

Marker from a distance, multiple other markers are visible in the background, as is the headwaters

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 14, 2016

4. The Naming of a River Marker

The confluence of the Jefferson and Madison, the Gallatin joins slightly downstream, all forming the Missouri River

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.