Beaverhead Rock

Beaverhead Rock-Lewis and Clark Expedition
Overland Trail bridge across Beaverhead River, with Beaverhead Rock—"Point of Rocks" in background (1871).[1] in 1871
Location Madison County, Montana
Nearest city Dillon, Montana
Coordinates 45°23′11″N 112°27′35″W / 45.38639°N 112.45972°W / 45.38639; -112.45972Coordinates: 45°23′11″N 112°27′35″W / 45.38639°N 112.45972°W / 45.38639; -112.45972
Built 1805 (expedition)
NRHP Reference # 70000359[2]
Added to NRHP February 11, 1970

Beaverhead Rock, also known as Point of Rocks, is a rock formation in Montana. It is located on Montana State Highway 41, 14 miles (23 km) south of Twin Bridges of Madison County.

The rock formation is protected within Beaverhead Rock State Park, and is located above the Beaverhead River.

History

Beaverhead Rock is a rock feature identified in 1805 by Sacagawea, during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as a landmark not distant from the summer retreat of her nation. According to the Journal of Lewis:

"the Indian woman recognized the point of a high plain to our right which she informed us was not very distant from the summer retreat of her nation on a river beyond the mountains which runs to the west. This hill she says her nation calls the Beaver's Head, from a conceived resemblance of its figure to the head of that animal...as it is now all important with us to meet with those people as soon as possible I determined to proceed tomorrow with a small party...and pass the mountains to the Columbia; and down that river until I found the Indians...without horses we shall be obliged to leave a great part of our stores..."

References

  1. "Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings", Lewis and Clark: Historic Places Associated with Their Transcontinental Exploration (1804-06) (National Park Service), 2004 [1975] |contribution= ignored (help)
  2. Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.

External links

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