East St. Louis in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

York

Lewis & Clark Expedition

— 1803-1806 —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 21, 2019

1. York Marker

Inscription. York, as Clark's Body Slave, was an active voting member of the expedition. Described as big, very dark, strong, agile, athletic, and playful. York was known as "Big Medison" to Native Americans. From near this site he often paddled Lewis and Clark by canoe to St. Louis for meetings and supplies. York was a hunter, nurse, poled the keelboat, made fires and put his life at risk for the safety of Clark. He may have been freed by Clark between 1811 & 1815.

Erected 2003 by The Illinois Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.

Location. 38° 37.725′ N, 90° 10.49′ W. Marker is in East St. Louis, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It is at the intersection of East Broadway and Riverpark Drive, on the right when traveling north on East Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 724 East Broadway, East Saint Louis IL 62201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The James B. Eads Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away in Missouri); Mississippi River Overlook

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); About This Place / Black Wealth and Influence (approx. 0.4 miles away in Missouri); The Captains' Return (approx. half a mile away in Missouri); In Memory of Katherine Ward Burg (approx. half a mile away in Missouri); The Eads Bridge (approx. half a mile away in Missouri); The Gateway Geyser (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East St. Louis.

Other markers no longer nearby. Lewis and Clark in Illinois (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Lewis and Clark and St. Louis Riverfront (was approx. 0.4 miles away in Missouri but has been confirmed missing); Rue Royale (was approx. half a mile away in Missouri but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . An enslaved man was crucial to the Lewis and Clark expedition’s success. Washington Post article about York (Submitted on January 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 21, 2019

2. York Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.