Along the Path of Lewis and Clark

Lewis and Clark, Smith and Smith - Clarksville, Indiana

Along our journey, we have passed several spots significant in the annals of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery Expedition.

The Falls of the Ohio River have been subdued by a dam

There are still some ripples though

The first place was Clarksville, Indiana just across the Ohio River from Louisville Kentucky.  It was here at the Falls of the Ohio River that William Clark gathered together 9 “Kentucky Men” to serve as the core of the Corps of Discovery.  Meriwether Lewis met them here and they started their journey together.  Why here?  William Clark was the younger brother of Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark.  In recognition of his contribution in the war, George Rogers Clark had been given a large tract of land in the Indiana Territory along the Ohio River.  He founded the tiny town of Clarksville there.  William was living there with his brother and was able to recruit volunteers from nearby for the expedition.  They traveled along the Ohio River to the Mississippi.

Honoring Lewis and Clark's return to St. Louis.  Their dog was named Seaman.

Another view of the statue

Later we visited St. Louis MO.  The expedition passed through St Louis as it traveled up the Mississippi to the Missouri River.  St. Louis had been founded by the French as an outpost in the wilderness, and was a thriving frontier town.  The town’s involvement with the expedition is commemorated with a statue on the waterfront showing Lewis and Clark arriving upon their return.

The ShoreXplorers added another explorer, Granddaughter Marina - Lake Francis Case, Missouri River in South Dakota

Later, when we crossed the Missouri River in South Dakota, we stopped at the site of the expedition’s Plum Camp.  They stopped at this spot for two days in September 1804 to dry their wet gear after days of rain.  They enjoyed the fruit from wild plum trees, and admired the many animals they had never seen before.  The expedition stopped here again in August 1806 on their way back.  There is a steep bluff over the Eastern shore of Missouri River here, and the view from the top is quite scenic.  This section of the Missouri is named Lake Francis Case. Senator Francis Case was the father of our cousin, Jane who we were on the way to visit.

Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge across Missouri River at site of Plum Camp

Lake Francis Case

South Dakota rest stops have these lovely teepee things.  Lake Francis Case in the background.