POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT

Pompeys Pillar is one of the most famous sandstone buttes in America. It bears the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which appears on the trail today as it did 204 years ago. On the face of the 150-foot butte, Captain William Clark carved his name on July 25, 1806, during his return to the United States through the beautiful Yellowstone Valley in Montana.

Clark named the Pillar "Pomp's Tower." Pomp was Clark's nickname for young Baptiste Charbonneau, infant son of Sacagawea, the Shoshoni woman who accompanied the expedition and contributed greatly to its success. The name was changed to Pompeys Pillar when an account of the Expedition was published by Nicolas Biddle in 1814.


"This rock I ascended and from it's top had a most extensive view in every direction on the Northerly Side of the river high romantic Clifts approach & jut over the water for some distance both above and below...I marked my name and the day of the month and year." William Clark

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Lewis and Clark
• Corps of Discovery
• Pompeys Pillar

[loakjoe]

@HollyMocko2010

A wonderful and fascinating day!

[HollyMocko2010]

Very Nice. Looks like you had good weather and not too many people. Good music too. Mustbe something to see such a tangible piece of American history.