This monument, erected by the Brotherhood of the American Mountain Men, is "dedicated to all Mountain Men known and unknown for their essential part in the opening of the American West." It consists of two busts and six plaques honoring four mountain men. The plaques are presented left to right.
In Tribute to
John Colter
First known white American explorer to enter this locale in the fall of 1807.
Probably crossing the river 1/4 mile east of this point (right), before discovering "Colter's Hell" 1/2 mile to the west (left).
· · · Born and raised in Virginia in 1770's.
· · · A valued member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean, 1803-1806.
· · · Among the first American "Free Trappers" in the Rocky Mountains, along with Joseph Dickson and Forrest Bancock, 1806-1807.
· · · First to explore Big Horn Basin, Yellowstone Park, and Grand Teton regions, 1807-1808.
· · · Immortalized by his legendary "Run For Life" escape, from the hostile Blackfeet Indians, 1808.
· · · Quit the mountains in 1810, married and settled on a farm near St. Louis, Missouri. Died of disease in 1813, unheralded, but not forgotten. His final resting place has since been lost.
Erected by the John Colter Society, 1981.
A legacy for all who adventure.
John Colter
Born c. 1770 — Died 1813
A hunter for Lewis and Clark (1803-1806) Colter remained in the mountains to trap and explore. During his great journey of discovery he found "Colter's Hell" west of Cody, Wyoming. Captured by the Blackfeet in 1808, he was forced to run for his life. Outdistancing the entire tribe for seven miles he survived, naked and weaponless, to become a legend in his own lifetime. John Colter was the first true "Mountain Man."
Jedediah Strong Smith
January 6, 1799 — May 27, 1831
Born in Jerico, New York, the 6th of 14 children, Jed was destined to influence the Westward expansion of the United States as few men have done. Influenced by Lewis and Clark's exploits he joined Ashley's trapping expedition in 1822, soon becoming a partner and then owner in 1827. A natural leader, devout Christian and tireless explorer, Jed's discovery popularized the South Pass crossing of the Rockies. He was the first man to travel overland to California and first to travel the coast from California to the Columbia. He survived near death from thirst and starvation, maulings of a grizzly and attacks by Arikara, Mojave and Kelewatset Indians. Killed by Comanches near Fargo Spring, Kansas, his body was never found but his legacy live on as his trails of discovery became the highways for America's westward migration.
George Drouillard
(c. 1775-1810)
Born to a French Canadian father and Shawnee mother, Drouillard joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803 as chief interpreter and hunter. Lewis said of him, "I scarcely know how we should exist were it not for the exertions of this excellent hunter." While thus employed, he was possibly the first white man to trap on the upper Missouri River. In 1807, he joined Manuel Lisa's trading expedition. During two solitary winter treks on foot to notify various tribes of Lisa's fort on the Yellowstone, Drouillard journeyed up the Stinking Water (Shoshone River) near this spot. His explorations of this and other major rivers to the east totalled (sic) 500 miles, and he produced an important map upon which William Clark and later cartographers relied heavily.
Trapping near the Three Forks with the Missouri Fur Company, he was killed by Blackfeet Indians in May 1810.
A Tribute To
James "Old Gabe" Bridger
1804 - 1881
Mountain man, hunter, trapper, fur trader, emigrant guide, and Army scout. Born in Richmond, Virginia in 1804 and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1812. Served as a blacksmith's apprentice from 1818 to 1822. Came west with the 1822 Ashley-Henry Expedition. Discovered the Great Salt Lake in 1824 and visited what is now Yellowstone Park in 1830. In 1833 he became a full partner in the fur trading firm of Sublette, Fraeb, Gervais, Bridger, and Fitzpatrick. Anticipating the influx of immigrants he established Ft. Bridger to resupply and repair wagon trains. Jim served as a guide and scout for the Army until 1868. After his discharge Old Gabe retired to his farm in Missouri. However, by 1874, his health began to fail and he was blind. Jim's only regret was that he would never see his beloved Rocky Mountains before his death. On July 17, 1881, the Lord laid Old Gabes (sic) tired body to rest and set his spirit free to return at last to the mountains he loved.
In Tribute to
Jim Bridger
Regarded most famous of the Rocky Mountain trappers and explorers who blazed the American West's early trails of continental destiny and who frequented these environs throughout the mid-1800's.
West 20 mile upriver towers Jim Mountain named for Jim Baker, a well known Bridger protege.
East 30 miles downriver the "Bridger Trail" crosses the "Stinking Water" (Shoshone River). This trail was established across the Big Horn Basin around 1864 by Jim Bridger (then working primarily as an emigrant and Army expedition guide). As a safer alternative route to the "Bozeman Trail" in traveling from the "Oregon-California Trail" to the Montana mines.br
Jim Bridger epitomized the "Mountain Man" and his legacy endures, but only in context with many others. In all this breed never exceeded more than a few hundred. They came seeking adventure and fortune. Over half of them succumbed to the rigors of their profession — hostile elements, animals, Indians, and starvation. Their names and remains are forever consigned — unrecorded-to the dust of the mountains and plains where they "went under," often in violent fashion. This marker also stands in their memory.
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