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Archive for the tag “Lewis and Clark Expedition”

31 Aug 2026
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History and Charm of Forsyth, Montana

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August 31, 2026

Welcome to the little town of Forsyth, seat of Rosebud County, Montana. This town of 1,600 souls is a key transportation hub along major rail and highway routes. The BNSF railroad has yards here, and there’s a hotel reserved for their workers.  Interstate 94 also runs through town as it travels through the long Yellowstone River valley in southeastern Montana.

A giant cross and a giant “F” mark the apex of a hill overlooking the town of Forsyth, the BNSF, and the Yellowstone River.

Rosebud County was named for Yellowstone tributary Rosebud Creek, whose banks supported wild roses and highlighted the area’s natural beauty. In 1806, Captain William Clark passed through the Yellowstone Valley on the return portion of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, inspiring a sense of historical importance in Montana’s early exploration. For this portion of the Expedition, Lewis and Clark traveled separately — Clark explored the Yellowstone River Valley while Lewis explored farther north near the Marias River. George Armstrong Custer also came through this area in 1876 on his ill-fated journey to the Little Bighorn battlefield. The Yellowstone River valley remains a compelling magnet for east-west travelers through the Montana mountains and grasslands. Even the modern traveler sees the same vistas as the early ones did –- wide fields of short grasses, sagebrush, and wild canola plants blooming golden yellow.

Forsyth’s downtown lampposts celebrate Captain Clark’s exploration of the area.

Forsyth’s downtown businesses occupy one side of Main Street; the BNSF tracks and station take up the opposite side. The district includes a line of two-story casinos and saloons but is dominated by the three-story Howdy Hotel.

The Howdy Hotel. Forsyth, Montana

A Montana casino is often simply a bar with slot machines. Still, one of the Forsyth casinos included a stage for live music acts to entertain customers — most of whom are local cowboys working nearby herds and ranges.

The side streets off Main, however, were lined with nice, shaded houses, giving the town an overall hometown feel that evokes warmth and familiarity.

A quiet home off Main Street in Forsyth, Montana

I came to Forsyth to see the Rosebud County Courthouse, a historic landmark that reflects the town’s history. Built in 1914 on Main Street, it offers a glimpse into Forsyth’s past and stands in sharp contrast to the row of nearby casinos. This two-story neoclassical building features a fine copper cupola. Its front lawn is lush and full.

Rosebud County Courthouse. Forsyth, Montana

I went inside. The white marble walls and floors, along with bronze-trimmed pillars, evoke dignity and history, inviting respect for the building’s purpose. The granite stairs add solidity, reinforcing the space’s importance.

Underneath the rotunda on the third floor, next to the courtrooms, four murals are painted on the walls above the doorways. The murals celebrate four virtues: Justice, Liberty (living by laws made by the people themselves), Reverence (the Bible), and Obedience.

Some windows inside the building feature stained-glass red roses, fitting for the county’s name. Below and to the right is a photograph of the historical sign outside, which explains some of the courthouse’s features and history.

This last group of photos will provide a look around Forsyth, including some of the murals painted on buildings.

The historical sign below provides additional information about Forsyth and its main street.

Rosebud County within the state of Montana

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The photos in this post were taken on August 31, 2018, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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29 Nov 2020

Stevenson, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge

November 29, 2020

Stevenson is an old Columbia River port town lying about 50 miles upstream from the Portland (OR)/Vancouver (WA) metro area. The town of 1,500 lies on the steep northern banks of the Columbia River at the western edge of the Columbia River Gorge. The high Cascade Mountains can be seen across the river on the Oregon side.

Downtown Stevenson, Washington, from the steps of the Skamania County Courthouse

Main Street Stevenson is called the Lewis and Clark Highway after the famous explorers. The Corps of Discovery, as Lewis and Clark referred to their expedition, came past this spot going downriver in November 1805, and again returning upriver in April 1806. They referred to the area as the “Great Shoote” for the difficult rapids at this spot.

Historical sign explaining the Lewis and Clark expedition’s travails at Stevenson

In the 20th Century, a series of dams were built on the Columbia to help tame the river and to provide hydroelectric power. The Bonneville Dam, 10 miles downstream of Stevenson, was completed in 1937 and provides some calm to the river at this point. This is how the Columbia River at Stevenson looks today:

Columbia River at Stevenson, Washington

Stevenson is an old river port town.  Little of the port remains but the government recently built a jetty into the river, some shoreline sidewalks, and a park to commemorate the old port. 

Columbia River jetty at Stevenson Landing
A historical sign explains the steamboat era at Stevenson

Stevenson is still small despite its location (within commuting distance to Portland). Today the town is half rural residential and half rural logging community.  There are a few diners downtown and a few brewpubs have been popping up to service the hiking, biking, and wind-surfing crowd.

Walking Man Brewing. Stevenson, Washington
Downtown Stevenson

It’s often cold and windy around here but I lucked out today.  Today is a clear, warm November day.  About half the autumn leaves remain on the trees, leaving the hillsides speckled with gold against an evergreen background.

Along the Columbia in Stevenson, Washington
Looking down toward 1st Street. Stevenson, Washington

The Skamania County Courthouse is a 1970s-style building three stories tall with a wide front lawn sloping down toward the Lewis and Clark Highway below.  The bright green of the Washington state flag reflects off the courthouse’s front glass windows.  Views from the building could be sold as real estate; they look up and down the Columbia River and include the steep green cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side.

Skamania County Courthouse. Stevenson, Washington
Skamania County Courthouse. Stevenson, Washington
Skamania County in the state of Washington

A large tree stump from Skamania County’s logging days serves as the county veterans’ memorial. The best view of the Columbia River Gorge has been reserved for the veterans’ memory.

Skamania County Veterans Memorial

All photos were taken by the author on November 2, 2009.

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