Yankton in Yankton County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Lewis & Clark Expedition

Photographed by Connor Olson, January 27, 2022

1. The Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

Inscription. In 1804-1806, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the Corps of Discovery on an epic journey. Charged by President Thomas Jefferson to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly acquired Louisiana territory, they mapped the land, recorded its resources, and met with and learned from 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. Today, visitors can travel in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark to share in the diverse perspectives of the Expedition and to gain a better understanding of the history of the United States.

Caption: In preparation for the journey. Meriwether Lewis took crash courses in medicine, botany, zoology, and celestial observation. With President Jefferson's permission, Lewis asked his friend and former commanding officer, William Clark, to be co-leader. Clark brought his skills as an outdoorsman, a geographer and map-maker. Although opposite in temperament, they worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.

Erected by National

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Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 42° 51.984′ N, 97° 23.324′ W. Marker is in Yankton, South Dakota, in Yankton County. It can be reached from Park Drive near Levee Street. The marker is located in Riverside Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yankton SD 57078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Yankton Sioux Tribe

and in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Great Missouri River (here, next to this marker);

Photographed by Connor Olson, January 27, 2022

2. The Lewis & Clark Expedition Marker

The featured marker is on the left.

Yankton Riverboats (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yankton: Territorial Capital (about 600 feet away); Sculpting the Landscape (about 700 feet away); First Building at Yankton Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Meridian Bridge Connects Continent from North to South (approx. ¼ mile away); William H. McMaster (approx. ¼ mile away); Trial of Jack McCall for Murder of "Wild Bill" (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yankton.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 433 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.