Beaverhead Rock, also known as Point of Rocks, is a
rock formation
A rock formation is an isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrop. Rock formations are usually the result of weathering and erosion sculpting the existing rock. The term ''rock formation'' can also refer to specific sediment ...
overlooking the
Beaverhead River in
Montana protected as Beaverhead Rock State Park. It is located on
Montana State Highway 41, south of
Twin Bridges,
Madison County. It was added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
[ The site may be viewed and photographed from a distance, but is not directly accessible.][
]
History
Beaverhead Rock is a rock feature identified in 1805 by Sacagawea
Sacagawea ( or ; also spelled Sakakawea or Sacajawea; May – December 20, 1812 or April 9, 1884)[Sacagawea]
...
, during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as a landmark
A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long distances.
In modern use, the term can also be applied to smaller structures or f ...
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
External links
Beaverhead Rock State Park
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
{{authority control
Landforms of Madison County, Montana
Rock formations of Montana
State parks of Montana
Protected areas of Madison County, Montana
National Register of Historic Places in Madison County, Montana
Natural features on the National Register of Historic Places in Montana
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Native American history of Montana