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Travelers Rest (Montana)
Encyclopedia
Traveler's Rest was a stopping point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
, located about one mile south of Lolo, Montana
. The expedition stopped from September 9–11, 1805 before crossing the Bitterroot Mountains
, and again on the return trip from June 30–July 3, 1806. Traveler's Rest is at the eastern end of the Lolo Trail. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1966. The boundaries have been revised since its designation in 1960 and mostly lie within the 51 acres (20.6 ha) Travelers Rest State Park, which is operated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Significant archeological findings made in 2002, such as latrines with traces of mercury and fire hearths, make this the only Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
that has yielded physical proof they were there. Records made by Lewis and Clark often spell "Traveler's" as "Traveller's". This spot is largely unchanged from the days of Lewis and Clark. From this location, Lewis and Clark split up to explore Montana during their return trip, not reuniting until they reached Sanish, North Dakota
.
At the time of designation in 1960, the exact location of the expedition's campsite was not known. Boundaries were formalized on December 12, 1983. Subsequent investigations revealed that errors had been made in setting the boundaries of the landmark. Detailed historical and scientific investigations resulted in a 55-page request for boundary corrections, submitted on May 10, 2004. This request was approved on March 21, 2006. A new road and bridge were built in 2006.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
, located about one mile south of Lolo, Montana
Lolo, Montana
Lolo is a census-designated place in Missoula County, Montana, United States. It is part of the 'Missoula, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 3,388 at the 2000 census. It is home to Travelers' Rest State Park, a site where Lewis and Clark camped in 1805 and again in 1806...
. The expedition stopped from September 9–11, 1805 before crossing the Bitterroot Mountains
Bitterroot Mountains
The Northern and Central Bitterroot Range, collectively the Bitterroot Mountains, is the largest portion of the Bitterroot Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, located in the panhandle of Idaho and westernmost Montana in the Western United States...
, and again on the return trip from June 30–July 3, 1806. Traveler's Rest is at the eastern end of the Lolo Trail. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1966. The boundaries have been revised since its designation in 1960 and mostly lie within the 51 acres (20.6 ha) Travelers Rest State Park, which is operated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Significant archeological findings made in 2002, such as latrines with traces of mercury and fire hearths, make this the only Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is a route across the United States commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 to 1806. It is part of the National Trails System of the United States...
that has yielded physical proof they were there. Records made by Lewis and Clark often spell "Traveler's" as "Traveller's". This spot is largely unchanged from the days of Lewis and Clark. From this location, Lewis and Clark split up to explore Montana during their return trip, not reuniting until they reached Sanish, North Dakota
New Town, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,367 people, 488 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,031.6 people per square mile . There were 512 housing units at an average density of 760.9 per square mile...
.
At the time of designation in 1960, the exact location of the expedition's campsite was not known. Boundaries were formalized on December 12, 1983. Subsequent investigations revealed that errors had been made in setting the boundaries of the landmark. Detailed historical and scientific investigations resulted in a 55-page request for boundary corrections, submitted on May 10, 2004. This request was approved on March 21, 2006. A new road and bridge were built in 2006.