DescriptionOn July 24, 1805, Capt. Meriwether Lewis wrote: “We saw many beaver and some otter today; the former dam up the small channels of the river between the islands and compel the river in these parts to make other channels . . . Thus the river in many places among the clusters of islands is constantly changing direction.” Capt. William Clark later noted this spot on his map sketches as “Yorks 8 islands.” A slave belonging to Capt. William Clark, York served as a member of the expedition and contributed his efforts and skills to its success. When the expedition returned to St. Louis in 1806, York asked Clark for his freedom; Clark released York from slavery several years later. He later reported that York had died of cholera sometime before 1832. In 2001, the Crimson Bluffs chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation successfully petitioned to have this area, formerly called Deepdale, renamed in York’s honor.Personal NamesLews, MeriwetherClark, WilliamOther Name(s)Yorks 8 IslandsDeepdaleContributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1] Elevation3854 ft.CountyBroadwater County
