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Lewis and Clark

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In 1804 the Lewis and Clark expedition reached what is now Kansas. Here they spent three days and celebrated Independence Day. Find more resources about Lewis and Clark in Kansas.

Visit the Lewis & Clark in Kansas website

These communities are on the Lewis and Clark trail:

Map of Missouri River

Kansas City

From June 26 - 28, 1804 the Lewis & Clark expedition camped at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. Based on the expedition's impressions of the region, many Native American tribes in the East were relocated to what is now Kansas. Today, Kansas City boasts a rich history represented by museums, monuments and more than 30 festivals. Points of interest:

  • A kiosk dedicated to Lewis & Clark at the Wyandotte Historical Society and Museum
  • The Grinter Place features a garden with native grasses
  • The point (the confluence of the rivers) where the Lewis & Clark camped several days
  • Visit Kansas City Kansas at https://visitkansascityks.com/

Leavenworth / Fort Leavenworth

On July 2, 1804, Lewis & Clark encountered their first Kansa village near Leavenworth. Then on their return in 1806, Lewis collected his final botanical specimen near the confluence of Three-Mile Creek and the Missouri River, the planned site of a statue of Lewis depicting this occurrence. Points of interest:

  • Historical Lewis & Clark wayside marker at Fort Leavenworth overlooking the Missouri River
  • Lewis & Clark displays at the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth
  • Lewis & Clark historical marker located on the banks of the Missouri River
  • For more information contact the Leavenworth Convention & Visitors Bureau at visitleavenworthks.com, 800-844-4114

Atchison

On July 4, 1804, the Corps of Discovery observed the first Independence Day in the West at present-day Atchison and named Independence Creek, which they camped near. Today, Atchison is notable for its impressive Victorian homes and as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Points of interest:

  • Commemorative statue of Lewis & Clark, Sacajewea, York and Seaman at the Atchison County Historical Society Museum.
  • Nearby Independence Creek
  • Two D.A.R. markers commemorating the Lewis & Clark
  • Benedictine Bottoms wetlands area
  • For more information, contact the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce at atchisonkansas.net, 913-367-2427 or 800-234-1854

White Cloud

A major exhibit was developed on the impact of the Lewis & Clark military expedition upon the tribes inhabiting the eastern woodlands and the prairies along the Missouri River by the Iowa and Sac & Fox Mission at Highland in cooperation with the Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska and the Sac and Fox Tribal Museum. Points of interest:

  • The famous "Tall Oak" Monument on the south lawn of the Troy courthouse
  • A D.A.R. marker at White Cloud commemorating the Lewis & Clark expedition
  • River views at the four-state lookout in White Cloud
  • For more information contact the Doniphan County Economic Development Office at dpcountyks.com, 913-365-2604