Crescent in Pottawattamie County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Photographed By Charles T. Harrell, June 28, 2011
1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
Inscription.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition. . 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 Louisiana territory, more than 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, they worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.
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 Louisiana territory—more than 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, they worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 41° 18.204′ N, 95° 51.405′ W. Marker is in Crescent, Iowa, in Pottawattamie County. Marker is on Monument Road. This marker is found at the Lewis and Clark Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa near to the Monument. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crescent IA 51526, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
