[This marker also serves as a site map for historical and natural resource sites. The text is entered in the order of their numbers.]
1. Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area
Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area was established in 1940 by . . . — — Map (db m59922) HM
Who passed this way?
In August of 1805 members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Shoshone Indians crossed Lemhi Pass six times in 15 days.
• Monday, the 12th --- Lewis, McNeal, Drouillard & Shields --- headed west
• . . . — — Map (db m110838) HM
Cameahwait's band of 400 Lemhi Shoshone dried berries, seeds, roots, and salmon in summer, but it was not enough. To survive the long winter, they would need about fifteen tons of bison jerky. The fall bison hunt in Montana was risky because enemies . . . — — Map (db m109582) HM
After crossing through Lemhi Pass, 12 miles east of here, Lewis unfurled the American flag for the first time west of the Rockies.
Meriwether Lewis met with 3 Shoshoni Indians near here on August 13, 1805. "....leaving my pack and rifle I . . . — — Map (db m109409) HM
When Lewis learned that Clark had found the Salmon River un-navigable, buying more horses became a top priority. He'd already bought fifteen, but he needed twice that many to carry the Expedition's baggage.
But enemy raiders had stolen many Lemhi . . . — — Map (db m109441) HM
The Corps of Discovery were the first U.S. citizens to reach the Northwest by land, strengthening the American claim established in 1792 when mariner Robert Gray discovered the Columbia River.
When Lewis unfurled the Stars and Stripes, he made . . . — — Map (db m109463) HM
At the Lemhi Shoshone camp Lewis learned of the danger and hunger that threatened the tribe. He asked the chief about routes west, but Cameahwait's descriptions were discouraging: rocky rivers, deep canyons, terrible mountains.
Lewis proposed an . . . — — Map (db m109459) HM
Lewis's advance party entered the valley below in search of the Lemhi Shoshone, whose horses the Expedition would need to cross the mountains. The first Indians Lewis saw fled before he could reach them, but he soon came upon three women. When Lewis . . . — — Map (db m213343) HM
There are many stories about the young Indian woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
As time goes on, Sacajawea continues to inspire our admiration and curiosity. People delight in the stories of Sacajawea. These stories continue . . . — — Map (db m109480) HM
Lewis and Clark gave Sacajawea a miracle: a return home for the first time since her kidnapping several years earlier. She gave them as much: a Lemhi Shoshone interpreter and an advocate for the Expedition in buying Lemhi horses.
It was a . . . — — Map (db m109445) HM
There were many heroes in this band of intrepid explorers, there was but one heroine. Denied in life and after that recognition which was due her, it is fitting that we meet here today to dedicate this spot in honor of that heroine." R.F. . . . — — Map (db m109482) HM
This community is named for a great man: Tendoy, chief of the Lemhi Shoshone from 1863 to 1907. During the Nez Perce, Bannock and Sheepeater troubles of the 1870s, Tendoy preserved the peace in Lemhi County. In gratitude, prominent local settlers . . . — — Map (db m172862) HM
Was the Salmon River as treacherous as Cameahwait, the Lemhi Shoshone chief, had said? Clark and eleven men had come to find out. Finding a navigable, westward-flowing river was the major objective of the Expedition at this time.
Clark stayed . . . — — Map (db m231270) HM
Named for the Nez Perce Indian leader who served as Head Chief, 1848-1871, and who lived near the lower end of the canyon. Called “The Lawyer” by early fur traders for his exceptional talents in languages and oratory, he was a . . . — — Map (db m121212) HM
An old ferry near here took thousands of eager fortune hunters to a trail that climbed out of this canyon to rich gold fields discovered at Pierce in 1860.
You can still follow their spectacular route to Weippe Prairie, where in 1805 Lewis and . . . — — Map (db m109756) HM
The Lolo Trail winds its way along ridges of the Bitterroot Mountains from the Weippe Prairie in Idaho to the Bitterroot Valley at Lolo Montana.
This ancient travel route had served as a “Land Bridge” for a continental trade system used . . . — — Map (db m109776) HM
This park links a series of widely separated sites of deep significance to the Nez Perce – historic villages, battlefields, and legend sites.
The park experience involves a journey across both time and territory.
Although firmly . . . — — Map (db m109994) HM
A short walk leads to
ilcwe-wcixnim timine the Heart of the Monster, the Place of Beginning for the
nimi-pu, the Nez Perce people.
Like other sites in the valley that are significant to the Nez Perce, the Heart is a distinctive . . . — — Map (db m109995) HM
A chapel was built a mile up Mission Creek in 1868, but a permanent location was not established until construction of Saint Joseph’s Mission was completed at a more secluded site in 1874.
It now is open to visitors as a part of Nez Perce . . . — — Map (db m109654) HM
The basalt arch on the hillside across the road depicts támsoy ka・?alatálo, insects Ant and Yellowjacket, locked in combat. Many features in this river valley relate to nimi・pu・ (Nez Perce) traditional stories. . . . — — Map (db m121414) HM
According to a Nez Perce Indian legend the stone arch up the hill was once two fighting insects.
Ant and Yellowjacket had an argument and came to blows over who had the right to eat dried salmon here. Fighting fiercely, they failed to notice . . . — — Map (db m121412) HM
This small train stop linked the Nez Perce with the cities of Lewiston, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington. Running directly through the reservation, the rails also opened this area to a wave of farmers and loggers who made striking changes to Nez Perce . . . — — Map (db m121736) HM
Located Sept. 15, 1846 by William Craig mountain man and his Indian wife Isabel.
First permanent white settler in Idaho, 1840, first Nez Perce Indian Agent, 1848; interpreter at Walla Walla Flathead and Blackfoot Councils, 1855 Lieutenant . . . — — Map (db m121603) HM
Built in 1862 this cabin was part of a thriving complex of agency buildings in this area of the Nez Perce reservation. The cabin was probably the residence of an agency employee. In period photographs, agency buildings stood in the midst of Nez . . . — — Map (db m121708) HM
The Indian Agent, representing the United States Government, lived here side by side with the Nez Perce. By law the agent and the government were responsible for upholding the terms of treaties. Duties included building schools, distributing food, . . . — — Map (db m121735) HM
Henry Harmon Spalding established Idaho’s earliest mission near here, Nov. 29, 1836, at a site chosen by the Nez Perce Indians.
Ever since they met Lewis and Clark in 1805-6, the Nez Perce had wanted to find out more about the white mans . . . — — Map (db m121638) HM
The river terrace below had the ingredients for a thriving village site: fresh water, a river full of fish, and a stream corridor filled with wildlife. For thousands of years the Nez Perce lived a life of bounty here. Then within a 50-year span . . . — — Map (db m121640) HM
The First Home, The First School and the
First Church in Idaho.
Established by
Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding and
Eliza Hart Spalding — — Map (db m121643) HM
Yesterday reached this desirable spot, where we expect to dwell the remnant of our earthly pilgrimage. As yet our dwelling is an Indian lodge ... for there is no preparation for building yet. -- Diary of Eliza Hart Spalding
Spalding . . . — — Map (db m121710) HM
Inspired by Henry and Eliza Spalding’s missionary zeal, this church held its first service in 1876. A number of Nez Perce embraced Spalding’s religion. Soon there were Nez Perce ministers, hymns in the Nez Perce language, and Indian blankets and . . . — — Map (db m121763) HM
“A bluff jolly good fellow.” He joined the rocky mountain fur trade in 1829, married a Nez Perce in 1838, and settled with the Lapwai Band in 1840.
In 1850 the Oregon Donation Land Act gave free farms to pioneers who had come to . . . — — Map (db m121592) HM
Household and family groups were the heart of Nimiipuu, or Nez Perce society.
Families lived and worked together, forming social alliances with others.
Each Nez Perce – man, woman, child – uniquely contributed to the common . . . — — Map (db m110701) HM
Coyote, the all-powerful animal spirit, was having a good time until Black Bear, the busybody, began to tease him.
Finally losing his temper, Coyote tossed his huge fishnet onto the hills across the river.
To teach Black Bear a lesson, Coyote . . . — — Map (db m109727) HM
No Tents?
By the time members of the Lewis & Clark Expedition reached the Snake River, their night-time shelter consisted of buffalo robes and other skins.
They left St. Louis with tents of oiled canvas, but by the summer of 1805, those . . . — — Map (db m110578) HM
Seasonal Migrations
The Nimi’ipuu migrated throughout the region of the Snake River and its tributaries.
They traveled seasonally to take advantage of the food sources: camas bulbs, berries, deer, elk, bear, and salmon.
Their mobility . . . — — Map (db m110541) HM
”This river is remarkably clear and crowded with salmon in maney places…
Salmon may be seen at the depth of 15 or 20 feet…
The number…
Is remarkable to say.”
~Captain Wm. Clark
The Nimi’ipuu relied upon . . . — — Map (db m110687) HM
Pioneer businessman and politician,
he owned and operated ferries in the Lewiston and Spokane areas.
Early in the 1860’s, John Silcott ran a ferryboat across the Snake River at Lewiston.
He soon put in a ferry across the Clearwater River . . . — — Map (db m109713) HM
Two styles of houses were used. Some were fairly square with interior benches dug out for use by a family or two.
Others were round – 20 to 30 feet wide and two to three feet deep – but lacked benches.
This village reached its height . . . — — Map (db m109725) HM
This scenic route commemorates the Lewis and Clark expedition’s quest for a watercourse through the Rocky Mountains connecting the Missouri and Columbia rivers.
The byway parallels the explorers' journey through the ancestral Nez Perce homeland in . . . — — Map (db m109726) HM
Spalding began his mission and school nearby, but moved here in 1838.
Believing in secular as well as religious teaching, he taught the Indians irrigated farming, brought in the Northwest’s first printing press, and built saw and flower mills.
But . . . — — Map (db m109729) HM
“…one canoe in which Sergt. Gass was Stearing
And was nearle turning over, she Sprung
A leak or Split open on one side and
Bottom filled with water & Sunk on the rapid…”
~Captain Wm. Clark,
October 8, . . . — — Map (db m110634) HM
Petroglyphs
The earliest ‘writings’ along the Snake River were petroglyphs carved into the rocks.
At the Buffalo Eddy and Captain John sites, located 20 miles upriver from here, some of the petroglyphs are four to six thousand years . . . — — Map (db m110688) HM
Long before fur hunters explored here in 1811, an annual Indian salmon festival was held each July in this area.
Indian peoples came great distances to trade, celebrate, and arrange intertribal marriages. Cheyenne and Arapaho bands brought . . . — — Map (db m23197) HM
(There are five historical panels in this kiosk:)
Idaho's Emigrant Trail
Westward-bound emigrants entered Idaho after crossing Thomas Fork Valley. They soon encountered the climb and descent of Big Hill, witnessed nature's . . . — — Map (db m124029) HM
These reported incidents of Shoshone Indian attacks on emigrant wagon trains in this gap and surrounding area between 1851 and August 10, 1862, led to the naming of these rock outcrop as "Massacre Rocks."
The granite marker was dedicated by the . . . — — Map (db m124160) HM
In this defile on August 10, 1862 a band of Shoshone Indians ambushed an Immigrant Train bound for Oregon killing nine white men and wounding six. — — Map (db m124159) HM
Teton Valley was known originally as Pierre's Hole. Rich in beaver, it was a favorite stamping ground for British and American fur traders and trappers between 1819-1840.
"Old Pierre" Tevanitagon, an Iroquois Indian fur trapper of the Hudson . . . — — Map (db m108457) HM
Over 325 non-natives were in attendance. American Fur Company with 90 trappers; Rocky Mountain Fur Company with 100 men; several smaller fur companies and numerous free trappers joined 120 lodges of Nez Perce and 80 lodges of Flatheads. Trappers Jim . . . — — Map (db m108456) HM
Discovered this valley in 1808 while exploring the Yellowstone and Upper Snake country in search of beaver.
Setting out all by himself with it gun and a 30 pound pack he tried to get the Indians to join in his trapping business. On his . . . — — Map (db m108352) HM
When John C. Fremont came this way mapping emigrant roads in 1843, he found an important Indian village at Fishing Falls (Kanaka rapids) about 4 miles above here. He reported that native salmon spearers there were "unusually gay...fond of laughter; . . . — — Map (db m31652) HM
In 1812, Joseph Miller found 100 lodges of Indians spearing thousands of salmon each afternoon at a cascade below here. Each summer they dried a year's supply. After 1842, they also traded salmon to Oregon Trail emigrants. John C. Fremont marveled . . . — — Map (db m31597) HM
The lush willow bottoms of Rock Creek provided Native Americans with a natural campsite. During the early and mid-1800s, Rock Creek was an oasis for the trappers, explorers and Oregon-bound emigrants attempting to traverse the arid Snake River . . . — — Map (db m31522) HM
(Two panels are found at the Shoshone kiosk:)
Native Americans and life in the Snake River Canyon
Coyote Creates the Snake River
A Traditional Shoshone-Bannock Story
Once in that . . . — — Map (db m125560) HM
While hunting stolen horses on Aug. 20, 1878, WM. Monday, Jake Groseclose, Tom Healy, & "Three Finger" Smith were ambushed in a rocky basin 9/10 mile by road from here.
Monday and Groseclose were killed immediately, and Healy wounded; Smith, . . . — — Map (db m23231) HM
Historic Meadows Valley
The town of New Meadows is located in a small valley that is filled with memories when logging and ranching was a way of life in the mountains of Central Idaho.
Payette Lake
This glacial lake was . . . — — Map (db m109707) HM
At the top of this hill 3 to 5000 years ago, Prehistoric men had a rock quarry where they made a variety of stone tools.
Projectiles, knives, and scrapers were among the tools made by these people who camped at the foot of the hill. These . . . — — Map (db m119369) HM
The Weiser Valley provided an abundant environment for early hunters and food gatherers.
Archaeological excavation along Monroe Creek in conjunction with US-95 realignment yielded one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the . . . — — Map (db m23220) HM
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