American Prairie is pleased to announce the donation of 109.43 acres of land to the Montana State Parks Foundation. The donated area is part of American Prairie’s PN unit and surrounds the Judith Landing Historic District. It’s located on the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River and is in the heart of one of the most culturally and historically significant sites on the northern Great Plains.
Recognizing the unique value of Judith Landing to the people and the State of Montana, American Prairie has taken the initiative to gift stewardship of the land for the continued preservation and future interpretation of the area’s comprehensive human and natural history.
“We are thrilled to work with the Montana State Parks Foundation and donate 109 acres in the Judith Landing Historic District,” said Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie. “This donation represents an important step towards preserving the historical and cultural legacy of the area.”
For centuries, the Judith Landing area has held significant importance for the region’s Indigenous Peoples who lived, traveled, camped, and hunted buffalo and other game along the resource-rich Judith and Missouri River corridors. Treaties and peace councils brought numerous tribes and government agents to this place in 1846 and again in October 1855, when the Blackfeet Treaty, or Lame Bull’s Treaty, delineated boundaries and common buffalo hunting grounds. These treaties shaped and altered the region’s land-use trajectory, including the dispossession of historic tribal homelands. However, this area retains deep ties and relevance to today’s Indigenous communities.
Other notable events that occurred at Judith Landing include:
- Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery campsite on May 28, 1805.
- Ferdinand Hayden discovered the first dinosaur fossils in the Western hemisphere above Dog Creek in 1855.
- The first military fort in Montana was built on the western bank of the Judith River. For a short period, the landing was the gateway to the gold fields and a major shipping depot for furs and bison hides.
“This donation of land to the people of Montana underscores our commitment to public access and collaborative management,” said Fox. “By preserving this remarkable site, we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse history and natural wonders of our great state.”
The Montana State Parks Foundation is excited for the opportunity that this donation presents from American Prairie. “The Judith Landing Historic District is a treasure trove of historical significance,” said Angie Grove, Chairman of the Montana State Parks Foundation Board. “We will be exploring the possible creation of a state park that will allow visitors to explore and learn from this extraordinarily significant site.”
For more information about the Judith Landing Historic District and the Montana State Parks Foundation, please visit www.montanastateparksfoundation.org. The Billings Gazette also shared a fantastic article about the history of the Judith Landing Historic District.