11 Most Endangered
Travelers' Rest
Year Listed: 1999
Location: Montana
Current Status: Saved
Threat: Development
On September 9, 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition paused at the campsite known as Travelers' Rest before undertaking the crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains, possibly the most arduous part of their journey to the Pacific. Almost ten months later they camped again at Travelers' Rest on their return trip to St. Louis. In 1966 the supposed site of Travelers' Rest was designated a National Historic Landmark. New evidence, however, indicates that the actual campsite may be some distance away--in an area that is threatened by inappropriate development. A trailer park is being built on part of the site and a nearby parcel has been subdivided for construction of four homes.
Update
When Travelers’ Rest was included on the 11 Most List in 1999 the property was privately owned and in imminent danger of being developed. Today, Travelers Rest is a Montana State Park. Visibility from the 11 Most Listing helped to attract funding from the National Trust, the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Forest Service, the Conservation Fund, and private donors. This money was used to purchase the site, conduct an archaeological investigation that located physical evidence of the campsite, and develop and implement an interpretative plan for the park. The plan will ensure that visitors to the site enjoy a cohesive and comprehensive presentation on the significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, its impact on the native people who were living there, and on the settlement and development of the West.
