This is an excerpt from the book Tribes and Trappers: A History of Montana, Volume I
Route of Lewis and Clark Expedition The Louisiana Purchase and the effect it had on Montana has been written about extensively, and nearly to the point of exhaustion. The run-up to the bicentennial in 2006 saw an especially massive effort to get everything Lewis and Clark mentioned, exploited, and generally talked-to-death for years before the anniversary even occurred. Most Montanans grew sick of it quite quickly.
But the reason for all the attention is clear: Lewis and Clark spent more time altogether in Montana than in any other place on their expedition. Even with all of those hours, days, and weeks of time they spent in the state, however, there is almost no physical proof that they were even here. Except for one grainy inscription etched into a sandstone pillar near Billings.
But the reason for all the attention is clear: Lewis and Clark spent more time altogether in Montana than in any other place on their expedition. Even with all of those hours, days, and weeks of time they spent in the state, however, there is almost no physical proof that they were even here. Except for one grainy inscription etched into a sandstone pillar near Billings.
Early History
Pompey's Pillar The place where William Clark left his most permanent mark on Montana can be seen on a large sandstone deposit which dates back to the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation of about 75 to 65 million years ago, the same time the Western Interior Seaway was present over most of the state.
During that time large deposits of such sedimentary material as sandstones, clays, and mudstones were washed away from mountains and deposited in low-level areas. The whole area at that point in time was warm and even sub-tropical, and crocodile fossils have been found to back up the claim. That also points to an annual cycle with no prolonged period of cold, something unheard of in Montana today.
During that time large deposits of such sedimentary material as sandstones, clays, and mudstones were washed away from mountains and deposited in low-level areas. The whole area at that point in time was warm and even sub-tropical, and crocodile fossils have been found to back up the claim. That also points to an annual cycle with no prolonged period of cold, something unheard of in Montana today.
Going Solo
William Clark, by Charles Willson Peale Clark was on his solo-trek through Montana, as he and Lewis had split up on July 3rd to explore the state more fully. By July 25th Clark had reached the 150 foot pillar on the Yellowstone River, and he climbed atop and recorded later in his journal that he “had a most extensive view in every direction.” He next stood atop a smaller rock and etched his name and the date, and that’s it. No other physical proof of the expedition remains.
Clark also made a note in his journal about the native’s etchings, which consisted of animal pictures for the most part. These rock etchings, or petroglyphs, that Clark saw were probably there for eight centuries before he added his name to the list, and probably came from Shoshone Indians.
Clark also made a note in his journal about the native’s etchings, which consisted of animal pictures for the most part. These rock etchings, or petroglyphs, that Clark saw were probably there for eight centuries before he added his name to the list, and probably came from Shoshone Indians.
Changes over Time
Clark's Inscription Erosion has threatened Clark’s signature, and the other petroglyphs, and that’s evidenced by the stone that Clark had to stand on to make his mark, which has completely eroded away in the 200 years since he was there. In 1882 a protective screen was installed over his signature and date to preserve them for future generations.
Clark named the tower “Pompy’s Tower,” in reference to the nickname he had begun using for Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. The name lasted until 1814 when “Pompey’s Tower” became Pompey’s Pillar.
Those that have visited the pillar in the past haven’t always had the best of luck. When Clark and his men tried to bed down for the night, they couldn’t get to sleep because of all of the noise the buffalo in the area were making. And when George Armstrong Custer stayed the night in 1875 he and his men came under fire from nearby Indians.
Pompey’s Pillar still stands, and those who visit today don’t have to worry about sleepless nights or Indian attacks. A new interpretative center opened in 2006, devoted to all things Lewis and Clark in the area, and the site sees more than 50,000 visitors each year.
Clark named the tower “Pompy’s Tower,” in reference to the nickname he had begun using for Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. The name lasted until 1814 when “Pompey’s Tower” became Pompey’s Pillar.
Those that have visited the pillar in the past haven’t always had the best of luck. When Clark and his men tried to bed down for the night, they couldn’t get to sleep because of all of the noise the buffalo in the area were making. And when George Armstrong Custer stayed the night in 1875 he and his men came under fire from nearby Indians.
Pompey’s Pillar still stands, and those who visit today don’t have to worry about sleepless nights or Indian attacks. A new interpretative center opened in 2006, devoted to all things Lewis and Clark in the area, and the site sees more than 50,000 visitors each year.
Notes
Fritz, Harry W. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. Greenwood Publishing Group: Westport, 2004. p 143.
"National Monument detail table as of April 2012". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
“Pompey’s Pillar.” Montana: Official Montana Travel Site. Retrieved 2013-03-20. http://www.visitmt.com/experiences/history/lewis_and_clark/Pompeys_Pillar/
Fritz, Harry W. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. Greenwood Publishing Group: Westport, 2004. p 143.
"National Monument detail table as of April 2012". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
“Pompey’s Pillar.” Montana: Official Montana Travel Site. Retrieved 2013-03-20. http://www.visitmt.com/experiences/history/lewis_and_clark/Pompeys_Pillar/
