Yorks Islands (Montana)
Encyclopedia
Yorks Islands, also known as "Yorks 8 Islands" or "York's Islands" or simply "York Island(s)" are a group of several islands located in the Missouri River
, in Broadwater County, Montana
, about 4 miles south (up-river) from Townsend, Montana
, along U.S. Highway 278. The islands were named by the Lewis and Clark Expedition
(1803–1806) for Clark's servant/slave York, when the expedition passed this way in 1805 on their historic journey of exploration to the Pacific Ocean
.
The expedition passed this point on 24 July 1805. However, the naming of "Yorks 8 Islands" is not found in the narrative journals of Lewis and Clark for that day. Instead it is found in Clark’s tabulations on his map drawings, and in his list of “Creeks and Rivers,”. Clark's map for this area has the entry, “Yorks 8 Islands,” and under related remarks in Clark's "Creeks and Rivers" is “W.C. on land York tired.”
On Wednesday, July 24, 1805 Meriwether Lewis made the following entry in his journal, which describes his thoughts about the formation of Yorks Islands.
The captains followed the practice of naming geographic features after prominent persons who somehow had been connected with the expedition, particularly the President and members of his cabinet, (viz Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin
Rivers) or attributes of President Jefferson (viz. Philanthropy, Philosophy, and Wisdom Rivers). In addition, as far as can be determined, a geographic feature was named for every Corps member, including Seaman
, Lewis’s Newfoundland dog.
In 1806, on the return leg of the expedition down the Yellowstone River, Clark also named another geographical feature for York, "York's Dry Creek", a tributary of the Yellowstone River, in Custer County
, Montana
. This name did not stick and the creek became known as "Custer Creek".
) Geographic Names Information System
has settled on "Yorks Islands". However, the area is also called "York's Islands", or simply "York Island".
. The site is just off of U.S. Highway 287. The site is marked by a Montana Fish and Wildlife Department sign. It includes a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, camping sites (including some for small trailers) and toilets. There is a small fee. There is no water or any other services.
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, in Broadwater County, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, about 4 miles south (up-river) from Townsend, Montana
Townsend, Montana
Townsend is a city in and the county seat of Broadwater County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,867 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, along U.S. Highway 278. The islands were named by the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
(1803–1806) for Clark's servant/slave York, when the expedition passed this way in 1805 on their historic journey of exploration to the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Naming Yorks Islands
The islands were named for York (ca. 1770-1831), Captain William Clark's lifelong slave companion, and "body servant" who accompanied Clark on the expedition to the Pacific and back.The expedition passed this point on 24 July 1805. However, the naming of "Yorks 8 Islands" is not found in the narrative journals of Lewis and Clark for that day. Instead it is found in Clark’s tabulations on his map drawings, and in his list of “Creeks and Rivers,”. Clark's map for this area has the entry, “Yorks 8 Islands,” and under related remarks in Clark's "Creeks and Rivers" is “W.C. on land York tired.”
On Wednesday, July 24, 1805 Meriwether Lewis made the following entry in his journal, which describes his thoughts about the formation of Yorks Islands.
"we saw many beaver and some otter today; the former dam up the small channels of the river between the islands and compell the river in these parts to make other channels; which as soon as it has effected that which was stoped by the beaver becomes dry and is filled up with mud sand gravel and driftwood. the beaver is then compelled to seek another spot for his habitation wher[e] he again erects his dam. thus the river in many places among the clusters of islands is constantly changing the direction of such sluices as the beaver are capable of stoping or of 20 yds in width. this anamal in that way I believe to be very instrumental in adding to the number of islands with which we find the river crouded."
The captains followed the practice of naming geographic features after prominent persons who somehow had been connected with the expedition, particularly the President and members of his cabinet, (viz Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin
Albert Gallatin
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American ethnologist, linguist, politician, diplomat, congressman, and the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. In 1831, he founded the University of the City of New York...
Rivers) or attributes of President Jefferson (viz. Philanthropy, Philosophy, and Wisdom Rivers). In addition, as far as can be determined, a geographic feature was named for every Corps member, including Seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
, Lewis’s Newfoundland dog.
In 1806, on the return leg of the expedition down the Yellowstone River, Clark also named another geographical feature for York, "York's Dry Creek", a tributary of the Yellowstone River, in Custer County
Custer County, Montana
-Economy:The main source of income for Custer County has largely come from cattle ranching and dryland farming. Miles City serves as the center of commerce in an area extending for 100 miles in every direction...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. This name did not stick and the creek became known as "Custer Creek".
Official Recognition of nomenclature "Yorks Islands"
Though the name for "Yorks 8 Islands" appears on Clark's 1805 maps of the expeditions travel along the Missouri for July 24, 1805, the geographical designation for "Yorks Islands" was not officially confirmed until 2000, when the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approved the name Yorks Islands for the group of Missouri River islands in Broadwater County. The name was also approved by the Montana Board on Geographic Names and has been entered into the Nation’s official automated geographic names repository.The USGS (United States Geological SurveyUnited States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
) Geographic Names Information System
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
has settled on "Yorks Islands". However, the area is also called "York's Islands", or simply "York Island".
Designation of "York's Islands Fishing Access Site"
The island group are now incorporated into "York's Islands Fishing Access Site", maintained by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. This site is located on 22 acres along the east side of Missouri River 4 miles south of TownsendTownsend, Montana
Townsend is a city in and the county seat of Broadwater County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,867 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. The site is just off of U.S. Highway 287. The site is marked by a Montana Fish and Wildlife Department sign. It includes a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, camping sites (including some for small trailers) and toilets. There is a small fee. There is no water or any other services.
Getting to Yorks Islands
Getting to Yorks Island: Utilize Google Earth for this area of Montana, or any map of the area, or simply drive 4 miles south of Townsend, Montana on U.S. Highway 287, and look for the fishing access sign on the west side of the highway.See also
- York (explorer)
- Lewis and Clark ExpeditionLewis and Clark ExpeditionThe Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
- William Clark (explorer)
- Meriwether LewisMeriwether LewisMeriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...
- Broadwater County, MontanaBroadwater County, Montana-Economy:Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Broadwater County. RY Timber and Wheat Montana Bakery were the largest private employers according to the 2000 Census.-Demographics:...
- Missouri RiverMissouri RiverThe Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
- Custer Creek train wreckCuster Creek train wreckThe Custer Creek train wreck is the worst rail disaster in Montana history. It occurred on June 19, 1938 when a bridge, its foundations washed away by a flash flood, collapsed beneath Milwaukee Road's Olympian as it crossed Custer Creek, near Saugus, Montana, south-west of Terry, killing at least...
External links
- York Island Fishing Access Commemoration http://www.onewest.net/~inmontana/crimsonbluffs/Yorks-Islands.htm
- Crimson Bluffs Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation http://www.onewest.net/~inmontana/crimsonbluffs/whoweare.html
- York's Islands Fishin Access Site, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/searchFas.html
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Interpretive Center, Great Falls, Montana] http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/section3/montanacities/greatfalls/lcinterpretive/index.htm
- National Geographic: Lewia & Clark http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/
- Discovering Lewis & Clark http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/
- Lewis & Clark - The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (PBS)http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/
- Lewis & Clark's Historic Trail http://www.lewisclark.net/
- Lewis & Clark, Mapping the West (Smithsonian) http://www.edgate.com/lewisandclark/
- Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America(Library of Congress Exhibition)http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lewisandclark/lewisandclark.html
- Lewis & Clark 101 http://www.lewisandclarktrail.com/101.htm