Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
The Portage Around the Falls
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2013
1. The Portage Around the Falls Marker
”…the men has to haul with all their Strength Wate & art, catching grass & knobes and Stones with their hands to give them more force in drawing on the Canoes & Loads, at every halt, those not employed in repairing the Course, are asleep in a moment… but no man Complains all go cheerfully on…”
William Clark,
June 23, 1805
The Indians told Lewis and Clark about a waterfall on the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark assumed that it would only require a half day portage. But Lewis discovered there were actually five waterfalls. The Corps labored for 11 days to make the 18 mile portage from Belt Creek (east of the city) to the White Bear Islands where they re-entered the Missouri.
Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1805.
Location. 47° 29.544′ N, 111° 18.404′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker can be reached from Overlook Drive south of 10th Avenue South (Business Interstate 15), on the right when traveling west.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Falls: Obstacle or Opportunity (here, next to this marker); Commissary of the Plains (here, next to this marker); Explorers at the Portage (a few steps from this marker); Arvon Block (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bus Depot and Garage (approx. 0.9 miles away); Murphy Maclay Hardware Store (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); New Park Hotel (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high metal posts. This is the right-most marker of a three-marker exhibit at this location.
Also see . . . River’s Edge Trail map. Broadwater Overlook Park is near the south trailhead for the Great Falls River's Edge Trail. This is one of many historical markers to be found along the River's Edge Trail. (Submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Ron Ukrainetz
2. Marker detail: Corps of Discovery portaging around the falls of the Missouri
This painting by Ron Ukrainetz is used as the background on this marker.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2013
3. Portage Around Falls Marker (view from Broadwater Overlook parking lot; marker on right)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2013
4. "Explorers at the Portage" sculpture (located near marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2013
5. "Explorers at the Portage" plaque
Robert M. Scriver, Sculptor
excerpt from the journals of Captain Meriwether Lewis:
”I selected a fat buffaloe and shot him very well, through the lungs;
…expecting him to fail…
… a large white, or reather brown bear… crept on me within 20 steps before I discovered him; …I drew up my gun to shoot, …but recollected that she was not loaded… I thought of retreating in a brisk walk… as he was advancing… but I had no sooner terned myself about but he pitched at me, open mouthed and full speed, …the idea struk me to get into the water to such depth that I could stand and he would be obliged to swim, and that I could in that situation defend myself with my espontoon; …the moment I put myself in this attitude of defence he sudonly wheeled about… (and) declined the combat.”
Capt. Lewis – June 14, 1805
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2013
6. "Explorers at the Portage" dedication plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
