Skamokawa Valley, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Chief Skamokawa/"Great joy in camp"
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
1. Chief Skamokawa Marker
Captions (along the bottom, L to R): Meriwether Lewis's journal sketch of the double-coned hat; Double-coned hat acquired by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1805-1806; Thomas Jefferson Peace Medal, United States Mint, 1803.
[Two markers are in the kiosk.]
Clark wrote, In the evening a young Chief 4 men and 2 womin...came in a large canoe with Wapiti roots, Dressed Elk Skins &c. tp Sell, the Chief make me a present of about half a bushel of those roots - we gave him ... a piece of red ribin to tie around the top of his Hat which was made with a double Cone, in diameter of the upper about 3 Inches the lower a about 1 foot."
The Chief's Hat
The chief wore a hat tightly woven of beargrass, sedge, and split cedar bark. These types of hats were often worn by the tribe of the Pacific Northwest. Lewis and Clark became so enamored with these hats that they commissioned several to be made for their party. Clark wrote, it Casts the rain most effectually."
"we gave
this page online
In 1855 George Gibbs noted that Skamokawa, "the chief, and almost the last surviver of the Wahkiakum band of Tsinuk, preserving with great pride the medal given to him by Lewis and Clark, until within a year of two, when it was accidentally lost, to his great grief." Skamokawa died in 1857 and was buried in the Cathlamet Pioneer Cemetery. His name means "smoke on the water." a reference to frequent fog in the vicinity.
"This eviming a young Chief 4 evening a young Chief 4men and 2 womin. of the War ci a cum Nation arrived... we gave this Chief a Medal of the Small Size and a piece of red riben to tie around the top of his hat which was of a Singular Construction"
William Clark
January 19, 1806
"purchased a... hat for some fishinghooks. these hats are of their own manufactory and are composed of Cedar bark and bear grass interwoven with the fingers and ornimented with various colours and figures, they are nearly waterproof, light, and I am convinced are much more durable than either chip or straw. The hats from a small article of traffic with the Clatsops and Chinnooks who dispose
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
2. "Great joy in camp" Marker
Captions (along the bottom, L to R): Meriwether Lewis's journal sketch of the double-coned hat; Double-coned hat acquired by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1805-1806; Thomas Jefferson Peace Medal, United States Mint, 1803.
Meriwether Lewis
"Great joy in camp"
On November 7, 1805, William Clark and other members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition stood a few miles down stream from here and knew they would soon achieve their mission. Far in the distance, the explorers thought they could see the great Pacific Ocean.
President Thomas Jefferson had instructed the Expedition to find a route to the western sea. Now, after traveling across the entire continent, they knew this goal was finally within their grasp. Jefferson wrote, "The object of you mission is to explore the Missouri river, & such principle streams of it, as, by it's course and communication with te waters of the Pacific ocean." The president sought "the most direct & practicable water communication across the continent for the purposes of commerce."
What could they see?
Historians have debated whether the explorers of the Lewis and Clark Exkpedion could see the Pacific Ocean from their November 7, 1805 campsite. As the map above shows, unobstructed views toward the ocean would have been possible at that time. However,
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
3. "Great joy in camp" Marke (detail)
This map shows the historic configuration of the confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean before construction of the jetties at the mouth of the river.
"we are in view of the opening of the Ocian, which Creates great joy."
"Great joy in camp we are in View of the Ocian, this great Pacific Octean which we been So long anxious to See. and the roaring or noise made by the waves braking on the rocky Shores (as I Suppose) may be heard distictly"
William Clark
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is January 19, 1806.
Location. 46° 14.931′ N,
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
4. Chief Skamokawa/"Great joy in camp" Markers
Regionally, this marker is in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lewis & Clark at Dismal Nitch (here, next to this marker); Salmon Fortunes (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Crossing the River (about 600 feet away); Dangerous Days in "Dismal Nitch" (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary's Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Business of Trade (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Search of Recognition (approx. 2.2 miles away); How Do These Stories Continue? (approx. 2.2 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Columbia River Explorers (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 10, 2026
5. Chief Skamokawa/"Great joy in camp" Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 22, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
