Weston in Platte County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
1. The 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 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.
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: Environment • Exploration
this page online
Location. 39° 24.554′ N, 94° 54.196′ W. Marker is in Weston, Missouri, in Platte County. Marker is on Main Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is about 100 feet north of the former railroad passenger station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weston MO 64098, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Bear Medison Island" (here, next to this marker); Weston, Missouri (here, next to this marker); Lewis & Clark Campsite (here, next to this marker); "Hell's Half Acre" (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yocum-Benner Buildings (about 600 feet away); Doppler Building (about 800 feet away); Mitchell Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. George Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weston.
Also see . . .
1. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
2. National Geographic: Lewis and Clark. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Discovering Lewis and Clark. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
5. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
6. Lewis and Clark: A Film by Ken Burns. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By National Park Service, undated
3. Lewis and Clark Expedition Map on Marker
Showing Missouri area
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
