New Haven in Franklin County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
From the Mountains to Missouri
John Colter's nearly three years with the Lewis & Clark Expedition had hardened him for a life in the mountains. He had survived cold, hunger, grizzly bears, and Indians. It was the lure of wealth from beaver pelts that kept him in the West from 1806 to 1810. These years were marked by trapping, exploration and both friendly and hostile encounters with Indians.
On one 500 mile solo trek through the mountains he discovered a basin where he observed geysers and hot springs. His later accounts of these features would be ridiculed and called "Colter's Hell". Colter is credited as the first white man to explore the Yellowstone region which in 1872 became America's first national park. By the spring of 1810 Colter became disenchanted with the West and returned to civilization.
Traveling in a dugout canoe, it took Colter only thirty days to make the trip down the Missouri River from Montana to St. Louis. He soon settled on land near the mouth of Boeuf Creek three miles east of here. With a wife and new son, Hiram, John Colter farmed and trapped until his death on May 7th, 1812.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list.
Location. 38° 36.893′ N, 91° 12.781′ W. Marker is in New Haven, Missouri, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Miller Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Marker is located at the kiosk in the center of John Colter Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Haven MO 63068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Private John Colter (here, next to this marker); Colter's Escape from the Blackfeet (here, next to this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Private John Colter (a few steps from this marker); New Haven (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Private John Colter (a few steps from this marker); Historic New Haven (a few steps from this marker); The Iron Horse Arrives (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Haven.
More about this marker. This marker is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition marker series.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. John Colter
Also see . . . John Colter – Fearless Mountain Man. Legends of America website entry (Submitted on July 16, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.