Pompeys Pillar (community), Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pompeys Pillar, Montana
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 Pompeys Pillar (community), Montana
Location in Montana
Pompeys Pillar (community), Montana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Yellowstone |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.20 sq mi (0.51 km2) |
| • Land | 0.20 sq mi (0.51 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,894 ft (882 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 51 |
| • Density | 261.54/sq mi (100.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59064
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2804324 |
Pompeys Pillar is a small community in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States. It is known for its nearby famous rock formation. This special place has a long history, going back thousands of years. It also played a role in the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. The community has its own postal ZIP code, 59064.
Contents
Discovering Pompeys Pillar's Past
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The town of Pompeys Pillar was started in 1907. It was named after the Pompeys Pillar National Monument, which is less than a mile away. This monument is a huge rock formation, about 150 feet tall. It's made of sedimentary rock, which forms over a very long time from layers of sand and mud.
William Clark's Famous Mark
Pompeys Pillar is most famous because William Clark carved his name into it. He was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a very important journey across America. Clark carved his name and the date, July 25, 1806, on the rock. This is the only remaining physical evidence of the expedition on their journey.
Ancient History at the Site
Before Clark, people lived near Pompeys Pillar for a very long time. There is evidence of human activity at the site going back about 11,000 years! This means many different groups of people have visited or lived near this special rock.
Building the Town and Railroad
The town of Pompeys Pillar was first planned as a railroad station. This was part of the Huntley Project, a big plan to bring water to farms. The United States Bureau of Reclamation managed this project. The Northern Pacific Railroad connected the town to Billings, which is about 29 miles away.
Community Life and Services
In the past, Pompeys Pillar had a Catholic church and a Union Congregational church. Today, a post office still serves the community.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument Today
The Pompeys Pillar National Monument was officially created in 2001. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 2006, a new visitor's center and museum opened there. This happened during the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The site also has a small gift shop for visitors.
Who Lives in Pompeys Pillar?
According to the 2020 Census, 51 people live in Pompeys Pillar. This makes it a very small community!
Learning in Pompeys Pillar
Students in Pompeys Pillar attend schools in the Huntley Project K-12 Schools district. This district serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.
