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Fred Robinson Bridge, Missouri Breaks, Montana (U.S. 191)

Project Description
May provide a write up on Fred Robinson Bridge. May provide a write up of Fred Robinson. May provide a write up of James Kip Recreation Area. May Provide a write up of James Kipp.

Fred Robinson Bridge, Missouri Breaks, Montana (US 191)
The Fred Robinson Bridge crosses the Missouri River in the Missouri Breaks, a extensive and remote region in Montana. The Fred Robinson Bride carries the paved highway known as U.S. Route 191. The Fred Robinson Bridge is geographically noteworthy, because it is the only bridge supporting a paved highway crossing in the entire Missouri Breaks area, and is thus the only paved highway bridge over the Missouri for over 300 river miles. Opening for traffic in 1959. The bridge was the most ambitious and noteworthy Montana highway bridge project of the 1950's. Until the bridge was built the Montana Hi-Line counties north of the Missouri breaks had very limited communication with the central Montana counties south of the Missouri Breaks, or the south central business center at Billings, Montana.

The Bridge and the Missouri Breaks
The Missouri Breaks is the name applied to a region lying both north and south of the Missouri River and extending for over 300 river miles from Fort Benton, Montana down stream to Fort Peck, Montana. The Montana breaks region is known for its highly eroded, rough badlands type topography that lie on both sides of the Missouri River and which restrict acess to the river. The breaks are only penetrated by a very limited network of gravel and dirt surfaced roads. Dirt roads (and gravel roads that deteriorate) are impassible in wet weather, due to the "gumbo" conditions. When wet the "gumbo" on the dirt roads gets very slick and clings tenaciously to anything it comes in contact with, including tires of vehicles, wheel wells, and even hooves of animals. These "gumbo" conditions are caused by bentonite content in the soft sedimentary formations that outcrop throughout the Breaks.

Until the Fred Robinson Bridge was built the 300 mile stretch of Missouri Breaks river between Fort Benton, Montana and Fort Peck, Montana was crossed by six seasonal ferries. Over the years the four of the ferries were replaced by bridges. Today, two of these ferries still operate, the Stafford Ferry and the Vergille Ferry.

From a geographical perspective, before the Fred Robinson Bridge was constructed in 1959, the Missouri Breaks kept the Montana Hi-Line counties north of the Missouri River isolated from Central Montana Counties just south of the river.

The Construction of the Bridge
Most extensive project of the 1950's.

The Bridge and U.S. Route 191
The first community north of the Fred Robinson Bridge on U.S. Route 191 is Malta, Montana (pop: 2120), some __ away. The first community south of the Fred Robinson Bridge on US 191 is Bohemian Corners, Montana (a service station-cafe), then Roy, Montana (pop 396).

The Fred Robinson Bride carries the highway known as U.S. Route 191. This is the only US highway (and the only paved road) to cross the Missouri Breaks in a north south direction. US 191 starts at the Mexican border in Douglas, Arizona and continues north to Yellowstone Park, where there is an "implied route" through the Park, after which 191 continues on to the Canadian border at Loring Montana.

Fred Robinson and the Bridge
Malta politician.

The Bridge and Recreation in the Missouri Breaks
Allows access to the CMR National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest wildlife refuges in the nation. mention Wildlife elk. Leads into network of CMR roads.

=The James Kipp Recreational area=

James Kipp Recreation Area offers interpretive signage, 19 single units and 15 multi/group camp sites, drinking water, public telephone, a floaters tent camp site, boat ramp, fish cleaning table, 8 restroom sites, and an RV dump station. There is a host on site during the summer season. All facilities are handicapped accessible. This is a fee site. Overnight camping with a vehicle is $12.00 per vehicle per night. Floaters have their own camp site near the boat ramp and camping with a table and warming unit is $12.00 per site per night. The 14 day camping limit is in effect. Wooded river bottom setting in a historic and scenic area of the river. The roads are graveled and there are trailer pads. Camp sites are on a first come first serve basis. Trash receptacles are available. HOURS AND SEASON OF OPERATION: Season: 4/1 - 12/1 SERVICES OFFERED: Boat Launch Campground Host Campsite Established Fire Pits Handicapped Accessible Maps Parking Pay Telephone Rv Dump Station Toilets Trail Trash Removal Water ACTIVITIES OFFERED: Boating Camping Fishing Fly Fishing Hiking Lewis And Clark Picnicking Rafting River Fishing Rv Camping Swimming Tent Camping Wildlife Viewing

For an unusual trip to an isolated area,

Mention the river view.

http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office.html ---

The National Wild and Scenic River. Upstream floating, Downstream boating.

The Bridge and History
Area much the same as when Lewis and Clark passed through. Camped 2 miles above the bridge.

Outlaw activity in the area.

Steamboad days -- Carol landing below, Cow Island landing above.

An excellent 20-mile long self guided tour starts here. The duty personnel here can give you a map and information about the tour. This tour will take you near Lewis and Clark’s May 22, 1805, campsite as well as two frontier towns—Rocky Point and Carroll. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you on the refuge. There is very little, if any, drinking water available on the refuge.

North of the bridge Little Rocky MOuntains, Zortman Landusky, Jew Jake killed by Kid Curry. Coburn ranch, Matador Ranch.

Littel Rockies still mining gold.

Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. arch in limestone.

Cleveland, MT

Fred Robinson Bridge, Missouri Breaks, Montana (US 191)
The Fred Robinson Bridge crosses the Missouri River in the Missouri Breaks, a extensive remote region in Montana. The "Fred Robinson" is the only bridge crossing in the Missouri Breaks area, and is thus the only bridge over the Missouri for over 150 miles in either direction. The closest downstream crossing to the bridge is the crossing over the top of Fort Peck Dam, near Fort Peck, Montana, a distance through the breaks of over 150 river miles. The closest upstream bridge is the one at Ft. Peck, Montana about 150 river miles upstream.

Copied quotes from Internet 2.17.10
--- Fred Robinson Bridge, Missouri Breaks, Montana (U.S. 191) http://wikimapia.org/8739832/Fred-Robinson-Bridge-Missouri-Breaks-Montana-U-S-191

U.S. highway 191 crosses Missouri River, between Lewistown (about 65 miles to the southwest) and Malta (70 miles to the northeast) over the Fred Robinson Bridge. Located in the middle of the Missouri Breaks about half way between Coal Banks Landing, Montana (about 100 miles upriver) and the Fort Peck Dam (about 100 miles downriver) it is the only river crossing for many miles either up or down stream. On the south side of the river is the James Kipp Campground, with primitive facilities, and lots of mosquitoes.

- Fred Robinson Bridge Tourhttp://www.ultimatemontana.com/sectionpages/Section11/attractions/fredrobinsontour.html

The Fred Robinson Bridge over the Missouri River is approximately 70 miles south of Malta on Highway 191. Looking from the bridge you are viewing much of the same scenery that Lewis and Clark viewed when passing through this area. On May 23, 1805, the Corps of Discovery camped about seven miles downstream from this spot. While their journals are vague on this, they viewed from the hills above the campsite the Little Rocky Mountains about 25 miles to the northwest. They camped the next day about 2 miles upstream from the bridge.

While most of northeastern Montana witnessed the “Old West,” this area experienced the “Wild West.” Outlaws, vigilantes, sprawling ranches, frontier towns, gold mines, trappers, cowboys, and steamboats were all a part of this colorful era.

From the bridge you can start exploring the backroads of the C.M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. James Kipp Park is near the bridge and has camping facilities. Head up the hill to the south to the Slippery Ann Wildlife Station and refuge office. The name Slippery Ann is a corrupted spelling of the fur trader, Cyprian Mat. In the late 1880s he was the proprietor of a trading post just south of the Little Rockies.

An excellent 20-mile long self guided tour starts here. The duty personnel here can give you a map and information about the tour. This tour will take you near Lewis and Clark’s May 22, 1805, campsite as well as two frontier towns—Rocky Point and Carroll. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you on the refuge. There is very little, if any, drinking water available on the refuge.

When you’re finished at the refuge go back to Highway 191 and head north. You will rise out of the Missouri Breaks and soon catch a view of the Little Rocky Mountains, arguably one of the most colorful and storied mountain ranges in the west. When you reach the Highway 66 junction, take a left and go a short distance to the old mining town of Landusky.

The town was named for Pike Landusky, a brutish character who roamed the territory in search of gold in the late 1800s (see article).

When you’re finished in Landusky, backtrack to Highway 191 and continue north about 20 miles to the turnoff to Zortman. If you’re in the mood, there are backroads and trails from here that will take you high into the hills where you can get some great views of the surrounding prairies.

Leaving Zortman and heading north on 191 you will cross the trail of the legendary “Long Drives” of Longhorn cattle that Texans drove 1,800 miles to winter in Montana. You’ll soon enter the Milk River Valley and reach the ranching town of Malta. The Fred Robinson Bridge over the Missouri River is approximately 70 miles south of Malta on Highway 191. Looking from the bridge you are viewing much of the same scenery that Lewis and Clark viewed when passing through this area. On May 23, 1805, the Corps of Discovery camped about seven miles downstream from this spot. While their journals are vague on this, they viewed from the hills above the campsite the Little Rocky Mountains about 25 miles to the northwest. They camped the next day about 2 miles upstream from the bridge.

While most of northeastern Montana witnessed the “Old West,” this area experienced the “Wild West.” Outlaws, vigilantes, sprawling ranches, frontier towns, gold mines, trappers, cowboys, and steamboats were all a part of this colorful era.

From the bridge you can start exploring the backroads of the C.M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. James Kipp Park is near the bridge and has camping facilities. Head up the hill to the south to the Slippery Ann Wildlife Station and refuge office. The name Slippery Ann is a corrupted spelling of the fur trader, Cyprian Mat. In the late 1880s he was the proprietor of a trading post just south of the Little Rockies.

An excellent 20-mile long self guided tour starts here. The duty personnel here can give you a map and information about the tour. This tour will take you near Lewis and Clark’s May 22, 1805, campsite as well as two frontier towns—Rocky Point and Carroll. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you on the refuge. There is very little, if any, drinking water available on the refuge.

When you’re finished at the refuge go back to Highway 191 and head north. You will rise out of the Missouri Breaks and soon catch a view of the Little Rocky Mountains, arguably one of the most colorful and storied mountain ranges in the west. When you reach the Highway 66 junction, take a left and go a short distance to the old mining town of Landusky.

The town was named for Pike Landusky, a brutish character who roamed the territory in search of gold in the late 1800s (see article).

When you’re finished in Landusky, backtrack to Highway 191 and continue north about 20 miles to the turnoff to Zortman. If you’re in the mood, there are backroads and trails from here that will take you high into the hills where you can get some great views of the surrounding prairies.

Leaving Zortman and heading north on 191 you will cross the trail of the legendary “Long Drives” of Longhorn cattle that Texans drove 1,800 miles to winter in Montana. You’ll soon enter the Milk River Valley and reach the ranching town of Malta. -

Fred Robinson Bridge http://www.ultimatemontana.com/sectionpages/Section11/attractions/fredrobinsonbridge.html

Location: Approximately 70 miles south of Malta on Hwy. 191

Looking from the bridge you are viewing much of the same scenery that Lewis and Clark viewed when passing through this area. On May 23, 1805, the Corps of Discovery camped about seven miles downstream from this spot. While their journals are vague on this, they viewed from the hills above the campsite the Little Rocky Mountains about 25 miles to the northwest. They camped the next day about 2 miles upstream from the bridge.

--

James Kipp Recreation Area http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office/recreation/kipp.html

James Kipp, born in Montreal in 1788, was a fur trader, fort builder, steamboat captain, and a friend to many. In 1831, Kipp established Fort Piegan, the first trading post above Fort Union at the mouth of the Marias. He died at age 93.

This site is a take-out point for floating the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. It is also a popular paddlefish area and is used by numerous hunters and elk viewers at the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The campground is located on the south bank of the Missouri River, downriver from the Fred Robinson bridge.

Activities: Tent camping, RV camping, boating, fishing, family reunions, elk viewing and picnicking.

Facilities: Of the 34 campsites, 19 are considered single units and 15 are multi-group campsites. Each campsite has a concrete picnic table and fire ring, and all are accessible. Potable water, drinking fountains, and eight vault toilets are located throughout the campground. The site also includes an RV dump station, garbage dumpsters, public pay phone, and a fish cleaning table. A separate shuttle parking area and a floater campground are available for floaters. Day use areas are available for picnics. There is also a concrete boat ramp, interpretive kiosk, and a BLM contact station with on-duty campground hosts. Click here for a map of the area.

Location: The area is located where U.S. Highway 191 crosses the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River, about 40 miles north of Grass Range, Montana.

Fees: Fee	Golden Age Camping per vehicle w/o dump fee	$12	$ 6 Camping fee per vehicle w/dumping fee	$15 	$10 RV dump fee	$10 	$10 Season pass w/o dump fee (available from campground host	$60	$30

Season/Hours: The campground is open year-round. Water is available from mid-April until freezing weather occurs, usually mid-November. The BLM contact station/camp hosts are available from mid-April through the end of November.

Maps: Zortman BLM map

Contact: Lewistown Field Office P.O. Box 1160 920 Northeast Main Lewistown, MT 59457 406-538-1900

-- Conveniences Sorely Needed: Montana's Historic Highway Bridges, 1860-1956 By Jon Axline Google Books Result

P. 118 and 120 (p. 119 missing) Has some other sites.

May need to buy the book, as this has the history of the bridge building, a description of Fred Robinson, and the dedication.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Q4Z1IUoAHIkC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=fred+robinson+bridge&source=bl&ots=9uhYnQWo3Z&sig=RQ2lnEmxIrT4vMbGMWDVt5Vr8ic&hl=en&ei=2V5dTY71AYjCsAOM_-zvCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&sqi=2&ved=0CEYQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=fred%20robinson%20bridge&f=false --- http://www.bridgepix.com/listing_detail.php?listingID=7358 Fred Robinson Bridge Malta, Montana

(Photo)

Fred Robinson Bridge carries Hwy 19 over the Missouri River south of Malta, MT Listing ID#7358 - Posted: 3/05 --- http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=890&siteid=1

JAMES KIPP RECREATION AREA

http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office.html

James Kipp Recreation Area offers interpretive signage, 19 single units and 15 multi/group camp sites, drinking water, public telephone, a floaters tent camp site, boat ramp, fish cleaning table, 8 restroom sites, and an RV dump station. There is a host on site during the summer season. All facilities are handicapped accessible.

This is a fee site. Overnight camping with a vehicle is $12.00 per vehicle per night. Floaters have their own camp site near the boat ramp and camping with a table and warming unit is $12.00 per site per night. The 14 day camping limit is in effect.

Wooded river bottom setting in a historic and scenic area of the river. The roads are graveled and there are trailer pads. Camp sites are on a first come first serve basis. Trash receptacles are available. HOURS AND SEASON OF OPERATION: Season: 4/1 - 12/1 SERVICES OFFERED: Boat Launch Campground Host Campsite Established Fire Pits Handicapped Accessible Maps Parking Pay Telephone Rv Dump Station Toilets Trail Trash Removal Water ACTIVITIES OFFERED: Boating Camping Fishing Fly Fishing Hiking Lewis And Clark Picnicking Rafting River Fishing Rv Camping Swimming Tent Camping Wildlife Viewing

View Larger Image Gallery SITE LINKS Lewistown City Info CONTACT INFO Mailing Address: Bureau of Land Management PO Box 1160 Lewistown, MT 59457

Phone: 406-538-1900 http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office.html DIRECTIONS This recreation area is located where US Highway 191 crosses the Missouri river approximately 70 miles south of Malta and 64 miles north east of Lewistown where US Highway 191 intersects the Missouri River at Fred Robinson Bridge.

Moon Montana By W. C. McRae, Judy Jewell

Travel books with very engaging style, and interesting summaries.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Qw5nQNCOG6sC&pg=PA336&lpg=PA336&dq=Fred+Robinson+Bridge&source=bl&ots=-eXcgo-msl&sig=imZ_kcEjHL_tl8d8Jj4fdHhsntI&hl=en&ei=JGddTYrVEI_2swPTvpTVCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=Fred%20Robinson%20Bridge&f=false

--- Montana Place Names: From Alzada to Zortman By Montana Historical Society Press, Rich Aarstad, Ellie Arguimbau, Ellen Baumler

Google Books

Gives a good summary of Fred Robinson's life, and mentions the Bridge.

http://books.google.com/books?id=08rAI9NEbcYC&pg=PA96&lpg=PA96&dq=Fred+Robinson+Bridge&source=bl&ots=-uMIzbudU-&sig=C3heB_ZIRoTDR_Fvfsr8f-m43r8&hl=en&ei=JGddTYrVEI_2swPTvpTVCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEwQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=Fred%20Robinson%20Bridge&f=false

--- Rafting Guide, Upper Missouri River. Gorp

http://gorptravel.away.com/gorptravel/rafting-guide/montana/upper-missouri-river.html

The wild open plains of central Montana break and fall away to the lonely Upper Missouri River, the 1805 route of Lewis and Clark—and not much has changed on this section of the river since then. From Fort Benton to the Fred Robinson Bridge on US 191, just inside the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, you'll find 150 miles that are ideal for canoe camping, even with kids. The current, running between three and four mph, could carry you the distance in five easy days, though the real meat of the river is 30 miles downriver of Fort Benton along the White Cliffs Wild & Scenic portion. You'll pass bottoms thick with cottonwoods, sandstone cliffs rising vertically from the water, and natural rock sculptures before you enter the Montana "badlands," where erosion has carved a three-dimensional tapestry. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, mule and white-tailed deer, coyotes, and pronghorn antelopes. Campsites abound along the shores. Early September provides the crispness of fall and fewer crowds, while snow often arrives by early October.