Lewis & Clark Trust

The Journey

Follow the full story of the Corps of Discovery — from planning to exploration to the legacy they left behind.

Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Reporting to President Jefferson and Tribal Diplomacy

1 St. Louis to Vincennes 19 October 1806 2 Vincennes to Louisville 5 November 1806 3 Into the Bluegrass and Wilderness 11 November 1806 4 Mountains smaller than the Rocky…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

William Clark’s 1809 Journal

1 – The Clarks Travel East : William Clark's 1809 Journal, St. Louis to Washington D.C. and Back 2 – To Washington by Carriage with 3 Servants : A Journey…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Planning and Equipping for Exploration

18 January - 4 July 1803 Washington DC

The first successful military exploration of the West by Lewis and Clark is clearly founded in planning, preparation, and recruitment of people with the 'right stuff'. The exploration included recording…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Traveling from Washington DC, Harpers Ferry, and Pittsburgh

5 July - 31 August 1803 Washington DC to Pittsburgh

Meriwether Lewis departed Washington DC and traveled to Harpers Ferry to oversee the construction of supplies and equipment, then continued to Pittsburgh to oversee the construction of the keelboat.

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Hospitality for Lewis & Clark in the President’s House

Washington, D.C. When Lewis arrived in Washington he moved into the President's House. Where the other members of his party stayed is unknown. The de-briefing and reporting phase of the…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

First Dilemmas with Transportation

6 July - 22 July 1803 Harpers Ferry, VA

At Harpers Ferry, Lewis supervised the manufacture of a collapsible iron-frame boat and gathered supplies including rifles, tomahawks, and other essential expedition equipment.

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

First Dilemmas with Transportation, Harpers Ferry

6 July - 22 July 1803 Lewis arrived at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal on 6 July, and learns that the supplies had not been taken by the wagon from Philadelphia.…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Troubles with Transportation in Pittsburgh

30 August 1803 Pittsburgh, PA

In Pittsburgh, Lewis encountered significant delays in the construction of the keelboat. The boat builder's slow progress caused Lewis considerable frustration and delayed the expedition's departure.

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Troubles and More Troubles with Transportation, Pittsburgh, PA

30 August 1803 The early breed of a Newfoundland Dog like Lewis's dog, Seaman The keel boat was finished at 7 AM, Lewis, with pilot T. Moore, and 11 men…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Company Commanders to Bureaucratic Administrators

1 Lewis the Governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory Clark the Brigadier General of the Missouri Militia and Superintendent of Indian Affairs 2 Governing in a Multi-Faceted Culture French, Spanish…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Heavy Boat in Low Water

6 September 1803 Steubenville, OH

Near Steubenville, Ohio, the keelboat encountered difficulties navigating the low water levels of the Ohio River. The heavy vessel required careful maneuvering through shallow stretches.

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Federal Agents on the Ohio River

7 September 1803 Charlestown, VA

Lewis and his small crew continued down the Ohio River, passing Charlestown, Virginia (now West Virginia), where they encountered federal agents monitoring river traffic.

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Lewis the Governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory & Clark the Brigadier General of the Missouri Militia and Superintendent of Indian Affairs

Planning, exploration and reporting phase Lewis and Clark expedition was over. The realities of governing the complex Upper Louisiana Territory settled-in on the newly appointed Governor and the Brigadier General.…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Federal Agents on the Ohio River, Charlestown, VA

7 September 1803 Patrick Gass bronze bust, located on the waterfront in Wellsburg Lewis passed Charlestown, present day Wellsburg, Brooke Co. WV, and future home of expedition member Patrick Gass.…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

By Horse to Big Bone Lick

28 September 1803 Cincinnati, OH

Near Cincinnati, Lewis made a side trip by horse to Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, a famous fossil site. He collected specimens of mammoth bones to send back to President Jefferson,…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Governing in a Multi-Faceted Culture French, Spanish and United States Governments in St. Louis 1763-1804

In 1808 cultural changes were sweeping the country and St. Louis and it's several cultures were part of the changing fabric of the young United States. The Spanish style of…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

By Horse to Big Bone, Cincinnati, OH

28 September 1803 Ft. Washington was built in 1789-1790 at Losantiville, later renamed Cincinnati, across from the Licking River. Lewis wrote to Jefferson on 3 October 1803, advising that he…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Co-Commanders Meet

14 October 1803 Louisville, KY

At the Falls of the Ohio near Louisville, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark met and joined forces. This meeting marked the beginning of their legendary partnership. Clark brought several skilled…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Co-Commanders Meet, Louisville, KY

14 October 1803 Image Credit: Triumph At The Falls: The Louisville and Portland Canal, page 9 Mulberry Hill Plantation - The Clark Family Home in Louisville, KY When Meriwether Lewis…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Rejected Territorial Expenditures Lewis and Clark to Washington

Rejected Territorial Expenditures Lewis and Clark to Washington Rejected Bills of Exchange (A written order binding one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party, on demand)…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Camp Site, West Point, KY

26 October 1803 Leaving the Mill Creek Camp in the afternoon would be a "Hudson Bay Start" , making that night's camp not far along the Ohio River. (1) While…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Camp Site at West Point

26 October 1803 West Point, KY

The expedition made camp near West Point, Kentucky, as they continued their journey down the Ohio River toward the Mississippi.

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Clark's 1809 Journal

The Clarks Travel East

William Clark's 1809 Journal, St. Louis to Washington D.C. and Back As Lewis is floating toward Chickasaw Bluffs (Ft. Pickering), William, Julia, 8 month old Meriwether Lewis Clark and enslaved…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

A Celebrated Hero’s Tragedy in the Wilderness “I fear O! I fear”

Hundreds of hours of research and scholarly writing has been devoted to the last days of Meriwether Lewis. Ambrose, Bakeless, Danisi, Fisher, Phelps, Guice, Jenkinson, Jones, Holmberg (1) and many…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Ft. Massac and “A Man of Much Merit”, Ft. Massac State Park, IL

11 November 1803 Ft. Massac - Photo by Richard Prestholdt Click here for Association Website Leaving West Point on 27 October and traveling to Ft. Massac, present day Massac Co.…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Protecting Lewis’ Possessions Inventory near Nashville and Washington, D.C.

Lewis had packed his possessions for traveling in two (2), small trunks, including the rejected Bills of Exchange and the expedition journals. After Lewis' death and hasty burial, James Neeley…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Ft. Massac and ‘A Man of Much Merit’

11 November 1803 Ft. Massac State Park, IL

At Fort Massac in Illinois, Lewis and Clark recruited George Drouillard, described by Lewis as 'a man of much merit.' Drouillard would prove invaluable as a hunter, scout, and interpreter…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

To Washington by Carriage with 3 Servants

A Journey of Many Changes and Adjustments Leaving St. Louis on 21 September, the Clarks family was accompanied across the Mississippi River to Cahokia, IL by Major David Delaunay, Adj.…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Poor Roads and Questionable Food

Few Five-Star Rated Accommodations After several day of poor roads, poor lodging and food, William noted, on 29 September, rose late horse a little better . He gave a good…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Celestial Observations and Ft. Jefferson

15 November 1803 Confluence of Ohio and Mississippi River

At the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, Lewis made celestial observations to determine the exact latitude and longitude. The precision of these measurements would be crucial for mapping…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Celestial Observations and Ft. Jefferson, Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi River

15 November 1803 Map of the Confluence drawn by Clark-Page 195 W. Clark's Field Notes During five (5) days at the Mouth of the Ohio Lewis and Clark made celestial…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Visit with the Benjamin Temple Family

Description of Russellville, KY 1809 While traveling to Russellville from Col. New at Elkton, KY on 3 October, the axletree on the Clark's carriage broke. The priority when they reached…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Against the Current

20 November 1803 Mississippi River

The Corps of Discovery began their journey up the Mississippi River, fighting against the powerful current. This challenging stretch tested the men and their equipment before they would face even…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Against the Current, Up the Mississippi River

20 November 1803 Lewis and Clark turned the boats against the Mississippi River current and experienced a new challenge. Traveling against the current would last until the expedition reached Camp…

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Planning and Preparation (1803)

Trouble with the Spanish, St. Louis, MO

12 December 1803 The Spanish Government would not permit the expedition to spend the winter West of the Mississippi River. "Monday the 12th of December opposite the mouth of the…

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Westward Journey (1803-1805)

Trouble with the Spanish in St. Louis

12 December 1803 St. Louis, MO

In St. Louis, Lewis encountered difficulties with Spanish authorities who still controlled the Louisiana Territory at this time. The political situation required careful diplomacy as the Louisiana Purchase had not…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Breakfast with Mr. Vance, Bowling Green, KY

Enlightenment Philosophy Meets the Great Revival of 1800 Sunday 8 October, as usual the Clark party started early and ate breakfast at Mr. Vance's Tavern, at today's corner of Main…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

St. Louis to Vincennes

19 October 1806 St. Louis to Vincennes

After providing compensation for service, back pay, and discharging the men no longer required for the mission, Lewis and Clark and the Tribal Delegation plus interpreters departed St. Louis for…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Traveling A Well-Established Road to See the Large Clark Family

Current Day I-64 and US 31 W. Corridor 9 October, the Clark party was leaving the Barrens, a region in south central Kentucky known for open savannahs. Willian recorded "timber…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Vincennes to Louisville

5 November 1806 Vincennes to Louisville

Lewis and Clark and the East bound traveling party's return to Louisville was joyous on November 5, 1806, even in the rain. Following the Buffalo Trace connecting Vincennes with the…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

The Clark’s 1809 Louisville Homecoming

Family Fun, a New Baby, and Business The large Clark Family at the Falls of the Ohio, Louisville, was very close knit, sharing happiness, work, and sorrow. Julia had expressed…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Into the Bluegrass and Wilderness

11 November 1806 Louisville, KY to Frankfort, KY

Lewis and his party departed Louisville on 11 November 1806, following today's U.S. 60 to Frankfort, KY. Clark remained in Louisville preparing for his courtship with Julia Hancock. The parties…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Very Bad News While Traveling in a Beautiful Country

Leaving the Anderson' Soldiers Retreats, on 27 October, William was traveling through the Outer- Bluegrass Region in the direction of Frankfort along the corridor of today's US 60. The first…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Mountains Smaller than the Rocky Mountains

November 1806 Cumberland Gap to Staunton, VA

Lewis and his traveling party followed the Boone Trace and Wilderness Road from Cumberland Gap through Virginia. After the challenges of the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachians seemed much more manageable.

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Confirmation that Governor Lewis is Dead

29 October, sat out early after breakfast for Frankfort (KY) and met Mr. (Dennis) Fitzhugh, who confirmed the death of Governor Lewis. Dennis Fitzhugh was William Clark's brother-in-law and a…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Christmas with Family in Ivy, VA

December 1806 Ivy, VA

After spending Christmas with his family at Locust Hill, his mother's home near Ivy, VA, Lewis and his party continued toward Washington. On 15 December 1806, he was celebrated with…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

A Heavy Heart and a Great Deal of Work in Lexington

Meeting with George Shannon William Clark was returning to Lexington, a town he had visited on a militia recruiting mission in 1792, along the Old Frankfort Pike and town of…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

South on the Lexington Branch of the Wilderness Road

Leaving Lexington on 31 October, Clark travels along present-day Upper Street, crossing Town Branch, then following the Nicholasville Road, US 27, south toward the Kentucky River. Travel for the day…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

William Clark and York at Cumberland Gap

1806 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

William Clark and York traveled through Cumberland Gap on the Wilderness Road. Clark would later visit Col. Arthur Campbell, who had shown Lewis a survey document, and continued eastward toward…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

William Clark Courting Julia Hancock

December 1806 Fincastle, VA

Clark and York were heading East along the Great Valley Road. After 28 months in the wilderness of the West, Clark was intent on courting young Julia Hancock in Fincastle,…

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