Mobridge in Walworth County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 30, 2017
1. Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
In 1804-06, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led about 40 soldiers and boatmen on an epic journey. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned this "Corps of Discovery' to find a route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly acquired Louisiana territory. Along the way, they mapped the land, recorded its resources, and contracted its native inhabitants.
The landscape has changed since Lewis and Clark explored it: rivers have been dammed, forest cut over; prairies plowed under, and roads built to the horizon. Although remnants of wilderness still exist, imagine this land a Lewis and Clark first saw it two centuries ago.
Picture Caption
The United States purchased the Louisiana territory - more than 830,000 square miles - from France in 1803. President Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis (far left) to lead an expedition there.
With Jefferson's permission, Lewis asked his friend and former commanding officer, William Clark (left), to be co leader. Although opposite in temperament, they worked harmoniously throughout the two year journey.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration
this page online
Location. 45° 32.229′ N, 100° 26.781′ W. Marker is in Mobridge, South Dakota, in Walworth County. Marker can be reached from Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail 1, 1.3 miles south of 20th Street W. In this area W. Railway St. runs next to the trail. You can park near and walk over. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mobridge SD 57601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Honored Leaders (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Final Resting Place (about 600 feet away); "Sakakawea and Lewis & Clark" (approx. 0.2 miles away); "they just did a man's job" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lewis & Clark meet the Arikaras (approx. 0.7 miles away); River of Hardship (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lewis and Clark/Mobridge (approx. ¾ mile away); "the track of the white bear" (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobridge.
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 30, 2017
2. Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk
3. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail 1.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
