Marias Pass and the Northern Railroad Quest
Grace Flandrau surveys how mountain passes like Marias Pass inspired early American rail planning. The piece outlines mid 19th century surveys from 1853 to 1857, Isaac Stevens’s northern route expedition, relations with Blackfeet and Gros Ventre, and the build toward a transcontinental railroad across the Rockies with Fort Benton and Fort Union as key waypoints.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Mississippi River
Pacific Ocean
Louisiana Purchase
Texas
California
Oregon
United States
Edwin T. Sabian
Pacific Railway
Arizona
San Pedro
Montana
Oregon Country
Isaac J. Stevens
Washington
Gregor
Columbia River
Rocky Mountains
Tsaar T Stevens
She — Engineering Ranns
United States Army
Isaac Stevens
Treolts
San Hazzard Stevens
Isaac
Stevens
Missouri
Columbia
St. Paul
Isthmus
Puget Sound
Minnesota
North Dakota
Fort Union
American Fur Company
Yellowstone
Great Northern Railway
Breckenridge
New Rockford
Minot
Williston
Northern
Buffalo
Alexander Culbertson
Blackfeet
Fort Benton
Monument Unveiling at Mecias Pass Honors John F Stevens
A dramatic unveiling of the John F Stevens monument at Mecias Pass in the Rocky Mountains occurs as Associate Justice Pierce Butler presents Stevens with wildflowers. Stevens’ grandson John F Stevens III pulls the drapery, unveiling the bronze portrait of Stevens at age 36.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John F. Stevens
Mecias Pass
Rocky Mountains
Pierce Butler
United States Supreme Court
Mr. Stevens
Stevens
John F Stevens III
Matias Pass
Excerpted Look at Stevens and the Marias Pass Survey
The article recalls Governor Stevens and engineer Tinkham in the 1830s expedition toward the Marias Pass, noting Little Dog’s Blackfeet guidance, Tinkham’s misrouted ascent, and Munroe the Canadian guide. It questions Munroe’s motives and reports Stevens’ insistence on thorough surveys despite funding limits and political pressure from Jefferson Davis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stevens
Marias Pass
Robert Greenhow
North West Coast
North America
Great Northern Rathway
Marias Pas
Little Dog
Fort Benton
Tin
Lander
Fort Renton
Merc Tander
Jefferson Davis
Congress
Oon
Davis
Hest Pass
Clark's Fork
Munroe
Tinkhant
Blackfeet
Batety
Tinkham
Maring Pass
tHountans
Srecens
Tefferson Davis
Doty
Great Falls
Missouri
Sun River
Marias River
Monument to the Living commemorates early explorers in North Dakota and Montana
The article notes a Summit Montana unveiling of a monument to Stebbens Stevens, pairing a living man with historic figures in exploration. It highlights Stevens discovering the Maylas pass, the effort of Verendrye and others, and reflects on the hardships and neglect endured by uncoverers like Verendrye, Thompson, and Lewis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Parti
Oregonian
North Dakota
Montana
Don P. Steppens
Summit
Moat
Ivan
Stephens
Verendrve
Stevi
Dolering
Maylas Pass
Jowel
Stevens
West
Verendrye
Upper
Missouri
David Thompson
Columbia
Cirst
Harrier
Meriwether Laws
United States
Lewes
Tennessee Mountains
Washington
Thompson
North America
Also Mentioned on This Page
Great Northern
Helena
By Grace Flandrau
America
Glacier National Park
Continental Divide
Pacific
Andover
Massachusetts
Philips’ Andover Academy
West Point
Coast ‘Survey
Washington Territory
Mississipp
Chantilly
Lewis and Clark
St. Lotts
Bitter Root Mountains
Lewis
Clark
Meriwether
Fort Ds Prairie
Canada
Plains
Burfals
Tanaoy
Rockies
St Lowe
Mamas Pass
Cay
Port Renton
Piegan and McKenzie
Renton
Irra
Isaac Brevens
Blackfont
Culbertzon
Steves
Maries Pass
Fort Beaton
Mt Prong
Cadalle’s Pass
Maras
Mr. Tinkham
Lactos
Antoine
St. Mary's
Saxton
Marias Pans
Jocko
Flathead
Flathead Lake
Middle Fork
Prairies
Fort Bouton
Ione
Saat
Far West
Hudson's Hay Company
Saskatchewan
J. Willard Schutz
St. Mary's Lakes
Father de Smet
Pacific Northwest
Great Northern Railroad Company
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!