Smith's Trading Post
Posted by: 
muddawber
N 42° 15.154 W 111° 15.351
12T E 478895 N 4677850
Big Timber's first trading post.
Waymark Code: WM25KA
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 09/09/2007
Views: 38
In 1848 Pegleg Smith estblished a trding post on the Oregon Trail at Big Timber somewhere near here on the river.
Some travelers called it "Fort Smith", though it was only four log cabins and some Indian lodges. Packing a plow and tools from Salt Lake City, Smith (a mountain man who had to amputate his own leg 20 years before) tried unsuccessfully to raise crops. But he did a big business when the California gold rush of 1849 brought thousands past here: 49'ers reported that he had many horses and cattle and was making $100 a day.
Marker Name: Smith's Trading Post
Marker Type: Roadside
County: Bear Lake
Marker Number: 159
Web link(s) for additional information:
http://www.desertusa.com/magnov97/gold/nov_gold2.html
Marker Text: Not listed
City: Not listed
Date Dedicated: Not listed
Group Responsible for Placement: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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