Fort Parker, Military outpost and Indian agency near Livingston, Montana
Fort Parker was a military outpost situated along the Yellowstone River with log buildings, two guard towers, and storage structures for supplies and resources. The layout was straightforward, designed to operate as both an administrative center and distribution facility.
The outpost was established in 1869 as the first Crow Indian Agency and operated until 1875, when mounting tensions led to its relocation. The move to Stillwater River marked the end of this early administrative post.
The site functioned as a distribution point for goods promised to the Crow Nation while attempting to introduce farming methods into their traditional way of living. This role shaped how the agency was perceived by local people.
The site is located near Interstate 90, roughly ten miles east of present-day Livingston, making it accessible by car. Visiting requires no special preparation as it is an open-air historical location.
A fire in 1872 destroyed the original wooden buildings, leading to reconstruction using adobe bricks due to timber scarcity in the region. This material shift demonstrates how the outpost adapted to local conditions.
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