Talk on Lake DeSmet to be Held Sunday

On Sunday, Sept 22 at 2 pm., Fort Phil Kearny Historic Site is hosting a program titled, “The History, Legends and Birds of Lake DeSmet.” at the Mikesell-Potts Recreation area at the lake.

The program will include Lake DeSmet’s History by the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum; Birds of Lake DeSmet by Bighorn Audubon; Legends of the Lake by the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association and a talk on the lake’s Northern Cheyenne’s history and significance, and of its birds by Linwood Tall Bull of the Northern Cheyenne.

Lake DeSmet is named for Father Pierre-Jean De Smet (1801-1873), a Belgium born Jesuit priest whose adult life was dedicated as a pioneering missionary and peacemaker to the American Indians. A chronological table of his travels is available upon request.

During late in summer of 1851, Father De Smet and his traveling party came through this area enroute to a Fort Laramie peace council, known as the Horse Creek Treaty. They passed “a lovely little lake about six miles long” which his companions then named in his honor.

There is a marker near the lake honoring Father De Smet as well.

In the 19th century, Lake DeSmet was approximately 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long and described by many as beautiful but brackish. This paper includes diary excerpts from emigrant and military Bozeman Trail travelers 1864-1866 noting their first glimpse of the lake.3 Edward Gillette’s 1910 report mentions tales of the legendary serpent(s) which may also be entertaining to the reader.

During prohibition it is said there was a well-known floating gambling and speak easy operation on the lake, using a houseboat that could hold 12-20 people.

The talk will also touch on more current history, such as the Leiter Estate of Chicago, Illinois, which Lake de Smet reservoir for irrigation purposes, and conducted an inlet canal from Piney creek, which is now in operation.

This program is a free event, no reservations are necessary. It will be held outside, a little walking is required, and chairs will be available.

For more info, please contact fpkbta@gmail.com