Harpers Ferry
U.S. Armory and Arsenal
by Joseph D. Jeffrey
During preparations, Lewis relied on the Harpers Ferry Armory and Arsenal for the guns and hardware that would meet his unique requirements.
Search Results for: Louisiana Purchase
Spanish Opposition
Four attempts to stop the expedition
by Dan Sturdevant, Jay H. Buckley
“…it is surprising how close the Spanish came to intercepting Lewis and Clark, in 1804, and again in 1806. A matter of several days’ march… prevented an encounter that could have resulted in a major incident between the two nations.”
Wheeler’s Railroad Promotions
The Lewis and Clark Centennial
by Barbara Fifer, Joseph A. Mussulman
The Northern Pacific Railway had identified two new attractions within its Wonderland—a centennial commemoration of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition, plus extensive segments of the original trail within sight of its rails.
Wheeler’s “Trail of Lewis and Clark”
The trail 100 years later
by Barbara Fifer
The story Wheeler wished to tell can be found in his book’s subtitle: “A story of the great exploration across the Continent in 1804-06; with a description of the old trail, based upon actual travel over it, and of the changes found a century later.”
The Faces of Sacagawea
Interpretations of an unknown image
by Joseph A. Mussulman
Because the Shoshone woman has been the subject of so many sculptures and paintings, especially since about 1900, we have a rich heritage of artists’ conceptions to contemplate.
The Empty Anchorage
No trade ships at the Columbia
by Arlen J. Large
“the Ocian is imedeately in front and gives us an extensive view of it from Cape disapointment to Point addams,” reported William Clark on 15 November 1805. But he saw no ships at anchor. Nothing.
The Freeman-Custis Expedition
The "Grand Excursion"
by Dan Flores, Joseph A. Mussulman
Narrated in both English and Spanish, Daniel Flores tells the story of a parallel, southern exploration now nearly forgotten.
Lewis, Beethoven, Napoleon
An amazing coincidence
by Joseph A. Mussulman
On 7 April 1805 three ‘heroic’ events occurred. The expedition set off from Fort Mandan, and Beethoven premiered his Third Symphony, the “Eroica,” dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. It was also the day Great Britain and Russia sealed a fateful alliance against that French emperor.
St. Louis
Gateway to the west
by Frances H. Stadler
In 1804 and in the presence of the Lewis and Clark expedition the little village, built and designed to be an outpost of the fur trade, shed its ambiguous Spanish-French parentage and took on full American citizenship.
August 20, 1804
Burying Sgt. Floyd
The expedition stops near present Sioux City, Iowa to bury Sgt. Floyd with a full military ceremony. Elsewhere, Salcedo reports on several American expeditions in contested Spanish territory.
May 12, 1804
Expenses mount
Charles Gratiot forwards about $1500 in bills of expedition purchases. At winter camp, Clark arranges the boats’ loads. In Massachusetts, Samuel Brazer commemorates the Louisiana cession.
November 14, 1803
Mouth of the Ohio
Cairo, IL Lewis is ill, but he finds relief from a strong laxative found in Rush’s bilious pills. In Washington City, “An Account of Louisiana” is presented to Congress.
July 17, 1803
Louisiana questions
While Lewis prepares for departure in Pittsburgh, President Jefferson sends out a list of questions about Louisiana for the upcoming Congressional debate on the Louisiana Treaty and Conventions.
May 12, 1803
Dinner with Armistead Mason
Meriwether Lewis dines with Armistead Mason and other young Philadelphian gentlemen and ladies. In Paris, Robert Livingston reflects of the significance of the recently signed Louisiana Treaty.
May 1, 1803
Monroe's presentation
James Monroe is presented to Napoleon and wordsmithing of the Louisiana Convention continues. Secretary of State James Madison writes a letter telling of imminent war between Britain and France.
Zebulon Pike
Forgotten explorer
by Jay H. Buckley
Like his contemporaries Lewis and Clark, Pike also provided information on flora and fauna and discovered several new species. His southern exploration paved the way for a viable route linking the United States and Santa Fe.
Searching for Lead
by John W. Jengo
In the afternoon of 4 June 1804, William Clark decided to investigate the purported occurrence of lead in the vicinity of a rather unique prominence he named “Mine Hill,” but which is known today as Sugar Loaf Rock. The search was unsuccessful, but Lewis’s previous inquiries while in St. Louis resulted in 11 specimens sent to Thomas Jefferson.
Building the Barge
Was it Jacob Myers?
by William K. Brunot
Valuable reevaluation of the evidence has accumulated about the building of the Lewis and Clark barge some two hundred years ago. Much of this evidence supports the conclusion that Jacob Myers was the principal builder.
Thomas Jefferson and the A.P.S.
by Carol Lynn MacGregor
Thomas Jefferson’s leadership of the fledgling American Philosophical Society was appropriate. His perspective was entirely the same as its stated purposes, and his contributions to it have continued to enrich and guide it.
André Michaux
The man and his 'almost expedition'
by Lee A. Dugatkin
In 1792, André Michaux approached members of the American Philosophical Society informing his potential sponsors that he was “ready to go to the sources of the Missouri and even explore the rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean.”
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).