Near Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 23, 2017

1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker

Captions: (upper right) The United States purchased the Louisiana territory -- more that 83,000 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, the worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.; (map, across the bottom) Route of the Expedition (with annotations) (Click on image to enlarge the map.)

Inscription. 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 contacted its native inhabitants.
The landscape has changed since Lewis and Clark explored it: rivers have been dammed, forests cut over, prairies plowed under, and roads built to the horizon. Although remnants of wilderness still exist, imagine this land as Lewis and Clark first saw it two centuries ago.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists.

Location. 46° 10.188′ N, 123° 41.352′ W. Marker is near Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. Marker is on Burnside Loop near Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39392 Burnside Loop, Astoria OR 97103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Columbia's Estuary (here, next to this marker); First on the Pacific: The Astoria Custom House (approx. 5.8 miles away); Imagine the Scene: Astoria's Custom House - 1849 (approx. 5.8 miles away); Custom House Reconstruction (approx. 5.8 miles away); Fire Station No. 2 (approx. 6 miles away); a different marker also named The Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 6.3 miles away); "Ocian in view, O! the Joy..." (approx. 6.3 miles away); Comcomly / Indian Burial Canoe (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 23, 2017

2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker

The marker is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.