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

Inscription.
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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 39° 24.554′ N, 94° 54.196′ W. Marker is in Weston, Missouri, in Platte County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Kansas City.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011

2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker

"Bear Medison Island" (here, next to this marker); Weston, Missouri (here, next to this marker); Lewis & Clark Campsite (here, next to this marker); Weston Burley House #1 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Hell's Half Acre" (about 600 feet away); Yocum-Benner Buildings (about 600 feet away); Doppler Building (about 800 feet away); Mitchell Building (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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. National Geographic: Lewis and Clark. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Discovering Lewis and Clark. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
5. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
6. Lewis and Clark: A Film by Ken Burns. (Submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Lewis and Clark Expedition Map on Marker image. Click for full size.

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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 815 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.