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Missouri River Collection (#4)

The Missouri River, a majestic waterway that has witnessed countless historical events and shaped the lives of many, holds a special place in American history

Background imageMissouri River Collection: The White Cliffs of the Missouri River in Montana

The White Cliffs of the Missouri River in Montana

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Ice chards along the cliffs of the Missouri River near Fort Benton, Montana, USA

Ice chards along the cliffs of the Missouri River near Fort Benton, Montana, USA

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Overlooking the city of Great Falls, Montana at dusk looking across the Missouri

Overlooking the city of Great Falls, Montana at dusk looking across the Missouri River at the historic train depot building

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Spire along the Missouri River catches days last light near Dark Butte in the Upper

Spire along the Missouri River catches days last light near Dark Butte in the Upper Missouri River National Monument, Montana, USA

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Winter along the Missouri River near Culbertson, Montana, USA

Winter along the Missouri River near Culbertson, Montana, USA

Background imageMissouri River Collection: MAP: WESTERN U. S. 1848. Map of the western United States, 1848, by Charles Preuss

MAP: WESTERN U. S. 1848. Map of the western United States, 1848, by Charles Preuss, surveyor on John C
MAP: WESTERN U.S. 1848. Map of the western United States, 1848, by Charles Preuss, surveyor on John C. Fremonts expeditions to the Rocky Mountains and the Oregon Trail from 1842 to 1844

Background imageMissouri River Collection: IOWA: COUNCIL BLUFFS, 1855. A group of cottonwood trees beside the ferry landing at Council

IOWA: COUNCIL BLUFFS, 1855. A group of cottonwood trees beside the ferry landing at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the Mormon Trail

Background imageMissouri River Collection: OMAHA, NEBRASKA, 1869. The Nebraska State Capitol overlooking the city of Omaha

OMAHA, NEBRASKA, 1869. The Nebraska State Capitol overlooking the city of Omaha and the Missouri River. Wood engraving, English, 1869

Background imageMissouri River Collection: KANSAS CITY, 1881. View of Kansas City, Missouri, showing part of Kansas City, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, 1881. View of Kansas City, Missouri, showing part of Kansas City, Kansas, across the Missouri River. Wood engraving, 1881

Background imageMissouri River Collection: BUFFALO HUNT, 1874. Native Americans hunting buffalo on the Missouri River

BUFFALO HUNT, 1874. Native Americans hunting buffalo on the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 1874, after William de la Montagne Cary

Background imageMissouri River Collection: FUR TRADERS ATTACKED. Fur traders on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans

FUR TRADERS ATTACKED. Fur traders on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans. Wood engraving, American, 1868

Background imageMissouri River Collection: NATIVE AMERICAN HUNTING BUFFALOES. Indians Killing Buffaloes in the Missouri River

NATIVE AMERICAN HUNTING BUFFALOES. Indians Killing Buffaloes in the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 1874, after William de la Montagne Cary

Background imageMissouri River Collection: ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT. The upper Missouri River Valley. Wood engraving, 19th century

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT. The upper Missouri River Valley. Wood engraving, 19th century

Background imageMissouri River Collection: DIVERS, 1869. Underwater divers engaged in laying the foundation of the Kansas City Bridge across

DIVERS, 1869. Underwater divers engaged in laying the foundation of the Kansas City Bridge across the Missouri River: wood engraving, American, 1869

Background imageMissouri River Collection: RAILROADS: CHINESE LABOR. Chinese coolies employed to work on the transcontinental railroad

RAILROADS: CHINESE LABOR. Chinese coolies employed to work on the transcontinental railroad crossing the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 1870

Background imageMissouri River Collection: ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI. View of St. Joseph, from the Kansas side of the Missouri River

ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI. View of St. Joseph, from the Kansas side of the Missouri River: wood engraving, mid-19th century

Background imageMissouri River Collection: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. Wood engraving, 1855

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. Wood engraving, 1855

Background imageMissouri River Collection: MISSOURI RIVER: FLATBOAT. Emigrants traveling by flatboat on the Missouri River

MISSOURI RIVER: FLATBOAT. Emigrants traveling by flatboat on the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

Background imageMissouri River Collection: FUR TRADERS on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans. Colored engraving, 1868

FUR TRADERS on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans. Colored engraving, 1868

Background imageMissouri River Collection: FLATBOAT, 19th CENTURY. Emigrants traveling by flatboat on the Missouri River

FLATBOAT, 19th CENTURY. Emigrants traveling by flatboat on the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

Background imageMissouri River Collection: CHINESE LABORERS, 1870. Chinese coolies employed to work on the transcontinental railroad crossing

CHINESE LABORERS, 1870. Chinese coolies employed to work on the transcontinental railroad crossing the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 1870

Background imageMissouri River Collection: SUBMARINE DIVERS, 1869. Underwater divers engaged in laying the foundation of the Kansas City

SUBMARINE DIVERS, 1869. Underwater divers engaged in laying the foundation of the Kansas City Bridge across the Missouri River. Wood engraving, American, 1869

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Pre-flood Missouri River

Pre-flood Missouri River (image 1 of 2). Coloured three-dimensional computer image, based on satell- ite data, of the Missouri River, USA

Background imageMissouri River Collection: VIEW OF THE STONE WALLS. Rock formations along the Missouri River in Montana

VIEW OF THE STONE WALLS. Rock formations along the Missouri River in Montana. Watercolor by Karl Bodmer, 1830s

Background imageMissouri River Collection: NATI2P-01585

NATI2P-01585
Reconstructed Mandan earth lodge and sacred ark at On-a-Slant village along the Missouri River, North Dakota. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Mandan / Hidatsa earth lodge, North Dakota

Mandan / Hidatsa earth lodge, North Dakota
Reconstructed Mandan/Hidatsa earth lodge, Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site, ND. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Map of Mandan migration

Map of Mandan migration
Caitlins map showing the moves of the Mandans and the place of their extinction, 1837. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Background imageMissouri River Collection: EXPL2D-00028

EXPL2D-00028
Missouri River where Lewis and Clark had their first meeting with the Sioux Nation, near Pierre, South Dakota, 1804. Digital photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: EXPL2P-00037

EXPL2P-00037
Fort Mandan, reconstructed Lewis and Clark campsite on Missouri River, North Dakota. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: PEXP2A-00011

PEXP2A-00011
Portrait of explorer William Clark. Hand colored engraving of a 19th century painting

Background imageMissouri River Collection: PEXP2A-00012

PEXP2A-00012
Portrait of explorer Meriwether Lewis. Hand colored engraving of a 19th century painting

Background imageMissouri River Collection: EXPL2A-00092

EXPL2A-00092
Lewis and Clark shoot a grizzly bear, unknown to whites, during their exploration of Louisiana Territory. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of sketch by Patrick Goss

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Madison River near its junction to form the Missouri River, Montana

Madison River near its junction to form the Missouri River, Montana
Madison River approaching the Missouri River headwaters at Three Forks, Tobacco Root Mountains in the distance. Digital photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Coalbanks Landing on the Missouri River, Montana

Coalbanks Landing on the Missouri River, Montana
Dawn over the Missouri River at Coalbanks Landing, a Lewis and Clark campsite in Montana. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: White Cliffs area of the Missouri River, Montana

White Cliffs area of the Missouri River, Montana
Missouri River in the White Cliffs backcountry, described by Lewis and Clark, now a wild and scenic river area. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Judith Landing on the Missouri River, Montana

Judith Landing on the Missouri River, Montana
Missouri River at Judith Landing, a Lewis and Clark campsite in Montana. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Marias River joining the Missouri River, Montana

Marias River joining the Missouri River, Montana
Marias River junction with the Missouri River, a Lewis and Clark campsite in Montana. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: Missouri River in the Missouri Breaks area, Montana

Missouri River in the Missouri Breaks area, Montana
Missouri Breaks backcountry of the Missouri River, first described by Lewis and Clark, Montana. Photograph

Background imageMissouri River Collection: BUSN2A-00062

BUSN2A-00062
Fur-traders on the Missouri River attacked by Native Americans. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration




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The Missouri River, a majestic waterway that has witnessed countless historical events and shaped the lives of many, holds a special place in American history. From the iconic painting "Fur Traders Descending the Missouri" by George Caleb Bingham to the construction of railroads in Bismarck, North Dakota during the 1870s, this river has been an integral part of our nation's development. One cannot forget the significant encounter between Native Americans and explorers Lewis and Clark at Council Bluffs. This meeting marked a pivotal moment in bridging cultures and expanding westward exploration. As we navigate along its banks, we are greeted by breathtaking views such as those near Mandan, North Dakota. The tranquil beauty of this area reminds us of simpler times when nature reigned supreme. Looking back to 1832-34, we find ourselves captivated by a watercolor on paper depicting stone walls along the Upper Missouri. This artwork transports us to an era long gone but preserved through artistic expression. Moving forward to c1897, an unknown creator captures another snapshot: the Missouri River below Great Falls in Montana. The photograph showcases both its power and serenity as it meanders through vast landscapes. Returning to George Caleb Bingham's masterpiece "Fur Traders Descending the Missouri, " we witness fur traders navigating these waters with determination and resilience. Their story serves as a reminder of our nation's entrepreneurial spirit and pursuit for prosperity. Modern maps guide us through cities like Bismarck in North Dakota or Great Falls in Montana – bustling urban centers that owe their existence partly to this mighty river. These maps illustrate how communities have grown around its shores over time. Venturing further into Little Missouri State Park located within Badlands National Park reveals yet another facet of this remarkable river system. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in untouched natural wonders while connecting with America's rich heritage.