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Crossing the Missouri on the Fort Peck Reservation
The Lewis and Clark Bridge located near Wolf Point, MT is one of the largest, if not the largest, structure on the Fort Peck Reservation. Although it is known by all local residents, its history and prehistory is not as widely known. This bridge stands unused as a remnant of both.
Missouri River Bridge near Wolf Point
View of Wolf Point Bridge on the Missouri River (Federal Aid Project 253A2) in Montana shortly after completion of the superstructure. The concrete deck has not yet been poured. Photo taken in late March or early April 1930.
This historic bridge is located in Wolf Point, Montana. Wolf Point was established as an agency and trading post of the Fort Peck Reservation. It served as an agency for the Assiniboine people.
Wolf Point Indian Agency, Upper Missouri River
View of large crowd of people on shore of Missouri River at Wolf Point Indian Agency in Montana Territory. Teepees and horses in the distance. Many Indians in crowd.
Crossing the Missouri is not just a modern undertaking. The area in which the Lewis and Clark Bridge was built has been a crossing since before European immigrants landed on the shores of this continent. According to the interpretive site marker, for centuries herds of Buffalo would cross the river at this location.
Three Bison
Three buffalo stand together outdoors.
After the arrival of settlers in Montana the area's most common form of crossing the Missouri River was by ferries and in the winter by foot over the ice. Ferries and steamboats continued to be used as methods of transportation for some years even after the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1887.
Steamer 'Helena' at Wolf Point, Missouri River.
View from the shore of the Missouri River looking towards the steamboat 'Helena' at the bank. Crowd of people on deck and along the river. Native American man seated in the grass in the foreground, looking at photographer. Near Wolf Point, Montana.
In 1913, the U.S. Government opened the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Reservation land to settlers in the form of a lottery. More than 40,000 people registered for the opportunity to obtain land on the reservation. With the arrival of European descendant homesteaders, hazardous conditions gained attention. In 1926 two non-native teens attempted to cross the iced over Missouri near Wolf Point. They drowned in their attempt, bringing forth efforts to create a solution. Successful lobbying by the non-native settlers brought about a safe year-round method of crossing the river.
Opening of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation
A two page proclamation for the opening of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana, in northeastern Montana, to homesteading and settlement in 1913. E.C. Leedy, general immigration agent for the Great Northern Railway, is the source of the publication.
In 1929, construction of the new Wolf Point bridge began. It was funded by the United States Government as Federal Aid Project 253A2. The first photo below shows construction during the fall of 1929. The second photo was taken near the end of construction in the beginning of 1930.
Missouri River Bridge near Wolf Point, view looking northwest, crane and derrick operating
View of crane and derrick operating from the main bridge during construction of the Wolf Point Bridge over the Missouri River in Montana in Autumn 1929 (Federal Aid Project 253A2). The bridge is now pedestrian use only and owned by the Montana Historical Society. It is known as the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
Missouri River Bridge near Wolf Point, view to the northeast, two spans completed
View of Wolf Point Bridge on the Missouri River (Federal Aid Project 253A2) in Montana shortly before completion of the two northernmost through truss spans. Construction has just begun on the falsework to support the third and longest span (400-feet) on the south. The southern abutment and steel I-beam stringers are already in-place. Photo taken in January or February 1930.
During the 140th year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1945, it was decided to rename the Wolf Point bridge. Today it goes by the Lewis and Clark Bridge and is currently a pedestrian bridge owned by the Montana Historical Society. You will find it to the right of the “Entering Fort Peck Indian Reservation” highway sign. The historical society provides an interpretative sign with prehistoric and historic information.
Bridge near Wolf Point, Montana
View of the Lewis and Clark Bridge over the Missouri River, shortly after construction near Wolf Point, Montana.
Just after the construction of the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
View of the Lewis and Clark Bridge shortly after construction near Wolf Point, Montana.
Exhibit Author: Cindy Morales
Bibliography
The Montana National Register Sign Program, “Lewis and Clark Bridge,” Historic Montana, https://historicmt.org/items/show/2385 (Accessed August 2, 2022).
City of Wolf Point, “Wolf Point Bridge,” Wolf Point, Montana, https://ci.wolf-point.mt.us/community/page/wolf-point-bridge (Accessed August 2, 2022).
City of Wolf Point. “History of Wolf Point,” Wolf Point, Montana, https://ci.wolf-point.mt.us/community/page/history-wolf-point (Accessed October 20, 2022).
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