Where does the name “Gallatin” come from?
Gallatin, the name given to the national forest as well as many other local features, originates from former Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. He was a Swiss immigrant and financial genius who was first elected to Congress in 1794, and later served as secretary of the treasury under Presidents Jefferson and Madison. Because Gallatin was instrumental in arranging financing for the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark named one of the rivers for him on their first visit to “the three forks” in 1805. Albert Gallatin also held the posts of U.S. Minister to France and U.S. Minister to England. Among other achievements, he founded New York University, organized the American Ethnology Society, and was once nominated for vice-president but withdrew in favor of another candidate. Gallatin died at Astoria, Long Island in 1849 at the age of 88.
