Saco

The Missouri River once flowed through this valley as it made its way northeasterly to Hudson's Bay. A gigantic ice dam diverted the Missouri to its current channel about 15,000 years ago. The Milk River occupies the old channel and flows through a valley choked with glacial debris. The river is as crooked as a dog's hind leg and at certain times of the year it may appear to be somewhat trivial and even dusty. But during the spring thaws it gets right down to business and runs bank full.

One of the best fords across the river in this part of Montana lies just northeast of here. For thousands of years, the crossing was used by the Indians to reach the buffalo range to the south. Although other tribes used the ford, it became known as Cree Crossing. Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using it for at least 5,000 years. They left evidence of their presence in abandoned campsites and petroglyphs carved into the boulders haphazardly strewn about the area. During the 1930s, rock and gravel fill material needed for the massive Fort Peck Dam was quarried from a location just north of Cree Crossing.

The service station industry was still in its infancy when businessman H. Earl Clack began building a network of retail gasoline and bulk oil outlets across the northern plains into the Pacific Northwest. His company headquarters were in Havre, and the orange and green Hi-Power logo could be found during the 1930s in virtually every community along the Montana Hi-Line. Prior to World War II, Clack outlets in Montana comprised the most extensive network of retail stations marketing regionally produced petroleum products. Clack was an early proponent of functional gas station design and one of the first retailers to adopt the modern flat-roof that came into vogue in the early 1930s. A rounded canopy over the pump island and three sets of raised chevrons incorporated into the design are distinctive stylistic additions that established Clack’s corporate identity. This vintage example, first operated by Walter “Timber” Woods in the early 1930s, is one of few remaining in the state. Husky Oil Company acquired Clack assets in 1955, and the station was vacant for several years after 1957. In the early 1960s, the Town of Saco leased the property. The community added a picnic shelter east of the office and repaired the inside facilities so that the former station could be used as a rest stop for weary US 2 travelers.

Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.

In the Larb Hills south of Saco on the spring roundup of 1904 the cowhands of the "Square" and "DHS" cow outfits successfully lassoed and killed a large grizzly bear. Joe Reynolds skillfully rope artist from the Long X lassoed its hind paw and Frank Howe repping the Circle C dropped his loop over its head. While they pulled in opposite directions Frank Patterson curved some well aimed rocks and then applied his jack-knife and subdued the powerful bear without firing a shot.

This unparalleled roping event was pictured by Montana cowboy artist Charles M. Russell master clerk and recorder of the free open western range in one of his most famous paintings which he titled "Loop and Swift Horses Are Surer Than Lead" This monument commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the epic event is presented as a memorial gift to the Citizen's of the Saco Community and the Historical Society of Montana by

William J. Nankeman, Saco, Montana 1954 (inverse side:) In Honor of

Montana cowboy artist Charles M. Russell

Pioneer Cattlemen and Cowboy Riders

Square Brand Cow Outfit Established 1884 by

Milner Livestock Co.

Fort Benton, Montana Territory

Cowboys Riding Range

W.W. Jaycox, foreman • Ray Campbell, cook • Bill Ator • Atman Broome • Doc Corrigan • Bernard Gibson • Frank Howe • Bill McClammy • Frank McDonald • Frank Patterson • Joe Reynolds • Charley Shufelt

DHS Brand Cow Outfit Established 1880 by

A.J. Davis, S.T, Hauser and Granville Stuart

Helena, Montana Territory

Cowboys Riding Range

Jim Swindle, foreman • Joe DeGrew, cook • Jim Ivy • Dan Martin • Q.P. McClammy • Joe Parky • Nate Quinn • Norman Swain • Bill Todd • Jim Vail • "Virginia" Bill

Erected 1954 by William J. Nankeman.