Near this date, Lewis and his party travel along the Logan Trace between Harrodsburg and Danville at the southern edge of the Kentucky’s bluegrass country. The citizens in both towns were likely excited to see Lewis and curious about the Mandan People traveling with him.[1]Traveling with Meriwether Lewis to Washington City is a Mandan delegation from the Knife River Villages—Chief Sheheke, his wife Yellow Corn, and their son. Speaking Mandan and French was … Continue reading
Chimney Rock c. 1920
Colorized from the original created by Willard Rouse Jillson. Original courtesy Kentucky Historical Society, www.kyhistory.com/digital/collection/PH/id/8904.
Also known as Candlestick Rock, Chimney Rock is 13 air miles northeast of Danville on the Kentucky River at Pollys Bend.
In 1796, the “Lead King” Moses Austin left his mines and related industries at Austinville, Virginia in search of new mines in Missouri. In late December, he visited Harrodsburg and Danville.
Harrodsburg
Harrodsburg is a small place said to be the oldest place in the State is Elevated something above the surrounding Country and there beeing a large quantity of Land Clear.d appeard more pleasent then any place I see in the State. the Houses are about 20 in Number and Mostly of Stone. the Court Hous is of Stone and a good building.
—Moses Austin[2]Moses Austin, The American Historical Review 5, no. 3 [April 1900], 526, accessed 23 July 2026.
Danville
Danvill is a well laid out place and the streets are Broad crossing each Other at right angles Situated on a level spot of ground, but badly Built Contaning about 36 Houses the most of which are loggs. the lands Near Danvill are good and when well improv.d will be an agreeable Country.
—Moses Austin[3]Ibid.
Up through 1792, Danville had been the political center of Kentucky. The became a significant center of education and when Lewis passed through the town in 1806, William Clark‘s nephews were attending school there. On 15 December 1806, he writes that he will visit them on his way to Washington City.
Wherever they traveled, the Lewis and the delegation members were celebrities. News of the success of the expedition preceded their arrival (see newspapers/dates) and here was the expedition’s leader who could share the story as much as he was willing. As a bonus, he had two Mandan families with him—the first of that nation these citizens had seen. The plausibility exists that Sgt. Ordway—or some other delegate—was sent ahead to inform citizens that Lewis and company were coming to town. Alas, no written record has been found leaving the possibility of parades, dinners, and toasts up to the imagination.
Notes
| ↑1 | Traveling with Meriwether Lewis to Washington City is a Mandan delegation from the Knife River Villages—Chief Sheheke, his wife Yellow Corn, and their son. Speaking Mandan and French was interpreter René Jusseaume who brought one of his wives and two children. Expedition private François Labiche was included to translate between French and English. Finally, records indicate expedition sergeant John Ordway was serving as Lewis’s assistant. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Moses Austin, The American Historical Review 5, no. 3 [April 1900], 526, accessed 23 July 2026. |
| ↑3 | Ibid. |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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