Lewis & Clark Trust

The Journey

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

Clark's 1809 Journal

A Broken Carriage Strap Caused Delay

On 1 November, the Clarks traveled 15 miles. One of the leathers of the carriage broke which detained several hours. Dined at Mr. Buford's in Lancaster – 1.25 and stayed…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Hospitality for Lewis and Clark in the President’s House

28 December 1806 Washington, DC

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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Clark's 1809 Journal

Rain and Mud in the Wilderness

Warm Tavern and Good Company 4 November, rained last night and all this morning road bad, set out and proceeded all on horseback to Mr. Bulls- .50 & then proceeded…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

A Wilderness with Cold Muddy Roads

The Clarks are truly in the wilderness when they left Mr. Freemans on the morning on 5 November 1809. Cold last night a heavy frost this morning, set out early,…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

Congressional Compensation for a Job Well Done

January 1807 Washington, DC

January 1807 - Washington, DC On 15 January 1807, Lewis sent a list of the expedition members with comments concerning their "merits & service" during their enlistment to Henry Dearborn,…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

A Night at the Edge of a Meteorite Strike

During William Clark's life, he spent the night in many and varied locations but none more interesting geologically than on the evening of 6 November 1809. Mr. (William) White's Tavern…

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Reporting to Jefferson (1806-1807)

New Responsibilities for the Successful Explorers

1807 Washington, DC

The duties of Governor Lewis and General Clark increased with their new government responsibilities. Lewis went to Philadelphia in early April 1807, after being detained in Washington longer than he…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

South on the Old Kentucky Road to Bean Station

The evening of 7 November the Clarks stayed in Tazwell Court House, Claiborne Co. TN after traveling 20 miles over the Cumberland Mountain (Cumberland Gap). Goodspeed's History of Claiborne County…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

East to Rogersville

Traveling through the former State of Franklin 9th Thursday – Set out after Breakfast & Stayed all night at Co. Rogers(1) at Rogersville rodes (roads) fine made 23 miles –…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Miles to Go With Little Rest

10th Friday- Set out early B.f. (breakfast) at Mr. Armstrongs, cost – 1.50. crossed the N. Fork of Holsten and stayed all night at Mr. Wm. Sniders at Kingslanding on…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

The Western End of the Great Valley Road

Snow and Winter Weather 12th Passed through abbingdon (Abingdon) stopping at Logans –1.00 (purchase unknown) and stayed all night at the Bush(1)(2) (Goodrich- VA, John- NC, William- NC) house, good…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Rain, Cold and Wet, Again

13th (Nov.) Breakfast at house one mile east of the 7mile ford, (1) rained all morning, stayed all night at young Atkins, Good fair 23 mile – cost – 4.62,…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Preston Hospitality

Arriving at the Preston's Late at Night After 25 miles of travel in the cold and on muddy roads the Clarks had arrived at the home of Capt. William Preston…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

On the Road Again

20th Set out after Breakfast with Dr. and Mrs. Floyd crossed at English Ferry (Ingles Ferry) arrived at Christiansburg late at night with some snow top of the Allegheny Mt.…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Where did the Clarks stay in Christiansburg?

Where the Clarks stayed in Christiansburg is not recorded in the 1809 journal but the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Project identified structures in and near Christiansburg, Montgomery Co, VA licensed…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

A Contagious Disease

Santallaine and the Joyous Homecoming 22nd Set out after breakfast verry cold proceeded on to Mr. William Lewis New Salem & stayed all night, his children have the Hooping cough.…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

To Washington by Horse

3rd. Dec sat out at 3 0clock with Scot (Scott) & 2 horses Stayed all night at Mr. Conkeys (McConkey) 21 mi, arrived there late at night. Samuel McConkey received…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Facing a Difficult Conversation with the Marks Family

6 Dec Set out early at Daylight Breakfast at Rockfish gap and stayed all night at Mrs. Marks Gov Lewis mother she was not at home. The family much Distressed-…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Guidance from Mr. Jefferson

7th December 1809. Soon after I got to Charlot (t) sville Saw Mr. Tho (mas) Jefferson he invited me to go and stay at his house, an I went with…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

To Richmond, VA

William Douglas Meriwether, Executor of the Meriwether Lewis Estate 9th Breakfast 17 mi at Louisa Court House I Staid all night at Mr. Dukes a drunken man bad fair. 10th…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Merry Oaks to Richmond

12th Dec. proceeded on to the Merry Oaks 16 miles from Richmond. Met with the stage going there left scot & my horse & took the stage at Sun set…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

From Merry Oaks to Washington

14th Set out on horse back early returned to Mr. Reds before dark, stayed all night. He promised t make me a gig by my return of a superior strength…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Sunday with Old Friends at Fredericksburg

16th Sunday -all day at Fredericksburg, dined with Dabny Herndon in a Crowd – returned to the Tavern and found Maj (or) (George) Armisted and others, we set up until…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

All Night on A Stage Coach or “The Red Eye to Washington”

17th Set out in the mail stage at 10 Oclock, Breakfast Dined at Stafford C. (Court) House, supped at acckoquan (Occoquan), got to Alexanda (Alexandria) at one at night and…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Meeting with the Secretary-of-War

18 December (Note: Handwriting for the date is questionable. It may not be William Clark's) rose, Breakfast I spoke to a taylor to make me some cloths, took my lodging…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Bills-of-Exchange Settled and Expedition Journals Secured

William Clark's 1809 Journal ends on 18 December 1809, "Book 6", which he records as being the next journal, has never been found. However, we can continue to follow Clark's…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Homeward Bound via the Kanawha River

(Present-day West Virginia) On 8 March 1810, from Fincastle VA, William wrote Jonathan Clark, his brother. "….I have not much reason to Complain of my Suckcess or prospects, they are…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

Securing and Protecting the Lewis and Clark Journals for Future Generations

Securing and Protecting the Lewis and Clark Journals for Future Generations The Lewis and Clark Journals, Field Notes, Financial Records, artifact collections, maps, and drawings are the "backbone" of the…

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Clark's 1809 Journal

The End of an Era

On 1 September 1838, William Clark died at the age of sixty-eight. He had outlived two wives, Julia Hancock and Harriett Kennerly Radford and children, Mary Margaret, an infant- son…

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