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.
The Naming of a River. The Headwaters of the Missouri River. 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
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
30.207′ W. Marker is near Three Forks, Montana, in Gallatin County. Marker 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.
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 339 times since then and 11 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.
