Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, December 6, 2023

All of us are aware of the Sleeping Buffalo Rock on Highway 2 between Malta and Saco. It was originally one of several on a ridge near Cree Crossing on the Milk River. H. G. Robinson first saw the rocks in 1892, when he observed a lone Native American dismount from his horse, raise his hands in prayer and walk toward it. The man left beadwork, tobacco and red calico cloth on the rock. The rock is part of the cultural past of the Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Cree, Chippewa and Blackfeet tribes.

All these tribes have stories about the role the rock played in their religious and spiritual traditions.

In August 1931, one rock was moved to Front Street Park in Malta. Stories from that time include the rock moving around and bellowing. After these unsettling events, the rock was placed along old Highway 2 at the junction of the road that led to the American Legion Hot Springs. After Highway 2 was rerouted two miles to the north, the Sleeping Buffalo Rock was moved to its current location.

Visit the Phillips County Museum to find out more about the Sleeping Buffalo Rock. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.