There’s No Other Historical Landmark In Montana Quite Like Chief Plenty Coups State Park
By Jessica Wick|Published May 04, 2020
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Montana has a pretty fascinating history, and we do our best to preserve as much of it as possible. From our legendary Dinosaur Trail to our ghost towns, it isn’t hard to see living history here in the Treasure State. But did you know we dedicated a state park to the homestead of the last great Crow chief? Chief Plenty Coups State Park is a must-see.
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Chief Plenty Coups State Park is located in Pryor, a tiny community in Bighorn County in Southeast Montana.
He was born into the Mountain Crow tribe in 1848, with the birth name Chíilaphuchissaaleesh, or "Buffalo Bull Facing The Wind." His name was later changed in accordance with Crow tradition.
Plenty Coups' grandfather predicted that his grandson would live a long life and become the chief of the Crow Tribe, and he wasn't the only one in the family with premonitions.
At a young age, Plenty Coups started having prophetic dreams and visions, and while many of them were so far-fetched that fellow tribe members didn't believe him, they certainly started listening when many of them came true.
Plenty Coups was an amazing warrior, a well-respected man, and a diplomat, working well with the white settlers while also standing his ground.
He even flew to D.C. and fought successfully against U.S. senators' plans to abolish the Crow nation and take away their lands.
The park's Visitor Center has some great information on Chief Plenty Coups and the Crow tribe, plus plenty of artifacts and tidbits from the chief's life.
