Near Iatan 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
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. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Exploration
this page online
Location. 39° 27.474′ N, 94° 58.176′ W. Marker is near Iatan, Missouri, in Platte County. Marker is on Missouri Route 45/273 near the Iatan Power Plant Access Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weston MO 64098, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cow Island (here, next to this marker); Wetland Habitats of the Past (approx. 3.9 miles away); Weston Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Weston Christian Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Presbyterian Church (approx. 4.7 miles away); Weston (approx. 4.8 miles away); Weston, Missouri, Jail (approx. 4.8 miles away); "Hell's Half Acre" (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iatan.
Also see . . .
1. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on July 12, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Discover Lewis and Clark
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition & Cow Island Markers
Looking southwest, with KCP&L's Iatan Generating Station in far distance.
3. The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Website homepage (Submitted on July 12, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Lewis and Clark: A Film by Ken Burns. PBS website entry (Submitted on July 12, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
3. The Lewis and Clark Expedition & Cow Island Markers
Looking northeast toward Missouri Routes 45/273 beyond baseball field.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 726 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
