Emigrant in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Emigrant Gulch
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, June 8, 2011
1. Emigrant Gulch Marker
Inscription.
Emigrant Gulch. . In August 1864,three emigrants, who came to Montana on the Bozeman Trail, arrived here and found men already hard at work mining the creek. The new arrivals decided to try their luck farther up the rugged gulch, finding pay dirt high up the side of Emigrant Peak. The strike caused a stampede that drew several hundred miners and a few women to this remote area deep in Crow Indian country. The miners worked the gravel with moderate success for several weeks before cold weather drove them down to Yellowstone City, near the mouth of Emigrant Gulch.
the settlement was a collection of fifty rough log cabins with dirt roofs and elk hide floors. Supplies ran short during that winter; flour was scarce and tobacco cost $300 a pound, making it worth its weight in gold. The only thing plentiful was venison - for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the long winter months. In the spring, the shortages ended and the men went back to work on their claims.
By 1866,most of the miners drifted away because of hostile Indians and dwindling placer gold. The Emigrant Gulch strike was not a fabulous one, but snug stakes rewarded many of the pioneers for their energy and hardships.
In August 1864,three emigrants, who came to Montana on the Bozeman Trail, arrived here and found men already hard at work mining the creek. The new arrivals decided to try their luck farther up the rugged gulch, finding pay dirt high up the side of Emigrant Peak. The strike caused a stampede that drew several hundred miners and a few women to this remote area deep in Crow Indian country. The miners worked the gravel with moderate success for several weeks before cold weather drove them down to Yellowstone City, near the mouth of Emigrant Gulch.
the settlement was a collection of fifty rough log cabins with dirt roofs and elk hide floors. Supplies ran short during that winter; flour was scarce and tobacco cost $300 a pound, making it worth its weight in gold. The only thing plentiful was venison - for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the long winter months. In the spring, the shortages ended and the men went back to work on their claims.
By 1866,most of the miners drifted away because of hostile Indians and dwindling placer gold. The Emigrant Gulch strike was not a fabulous one, but snug stakes rewarded many of the pioneers for their energy and hardships.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 45°
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20.128′ N, 110° 46.208′ W. Marker is in Emigrant, Montana, in Park County. Marker is on U.S. 89, 2.9 miles west of Murphy Lane/Story Rd., on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emigrant MT 59027, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,452 times since then and 150 times this year. Photo1. submitted on August 20, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
