Lake Township near Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Like A Bald Man’s Head

December 26, 2024

1. Like A Bald Man’s Head Marker

Inscription. During late July and early August of 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled the length of the Missouri River that today is the boarder between Iowa and Nebraska. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark studied the river, forests, and prairies. They often hiked along the riverbanks and explored inland while other crew members kept the keelboat and pirogues moving upriver. Clark described the river bluffs and tall grass prairie in his journal. He compared the bluffs to the head of a bald man, and said the prairie stretched “as far as my sight will extend.” Once, while hunting elk, Clark found the endless prairie “so entertaining” that he forgot the promise of fresh game for dinner. He spent several hours studying the plants and soil instead. In his journals, Clark also described the yellow clay of the Loess Hills. While he did not refer to them by that name, he may have been the first American to write about this steep ridge of hills that begins in northwestern Missouri and continues for 200 miles along the western edge of Iowa. President Thomas Jefferson had predicted in his instructions to Lewis and Clark that the plants,

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animals and land would be “worthy of notice.” While traveling in this region, members of the Expedition found that this was the case.

William Clark wrote about "yellow, clay bluffs" he saw along the eastern edge of the Missouri River. Photo by Don Poggensee

American artist George Catlin painted this view of the Missouri River and hills surrounding it in 1832. From the collection of Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Erected 2003 by Big Muddy Workshop, Inc.; Back to the River, Inc., the Lewis & Clark NHT Challenge Cost Share Program - National Park Service, City of Omaha, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, and City of Council Bluffs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. 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 1804.

Location. 41° 18.205′ N, 95° 51.442′ W. Marker is near Council Bluffs, Iowa, in Pottawattamie County. It is in Lake Township. It can be reached from Monument Road 0.8 miles north of Mynster Springs Road, on the left when

Photographed by Charles T. Harrell, June 28, 2011

2. Like a Bald Man’s Head Marker

traveling north. Located in the Lewis and Clark Park near the parking lot of the the memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19962 Monument Rd, Crescent IA 51526, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Iowa, in Loess Hills,

and in Greater Omaha.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Lewis & Clark Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Anticipating an Indian Council (about 300 feet away); Colonel William H. Kinsman (approx. 2.2 miles away); Abraham Lincoln's 1859 Visit (approx. 2½ miles away); Kanesville Mormon Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); (missing) ... Was York (approx. 2½ miles away

December 26, 2024

3. Like A Bald Man’s Head Marker

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail Exhibit 2004

in Nebraska); Profitable Possibilities (approx. 2½ miles away in Nebraska). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Council Bluffs.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Anticipating An Indian Council (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Explore the Route of Lewis & Clark Marker image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

4. Explore the Route of Lewis & Clark Marker

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail Exhibit Monument image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

5. Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail Exhibit Monument

Icon sculpture designed by David Barker.
Original Sculpture: Wilson Custom Design Tile Co.
Casting by Artisan Stone

"Exploring the River Valley", "Past and Present" image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

6. "Exploring the River Valley", "Past and Present"

Monument Banner "Exploring the River Valley" image. Click for full size.

December 26, 2024

7. Monument Banner "Exploring the River Valley"

Yanna Synovia Ramaekers
Lynda Ramaekers
Fran Ramaekers Jr.
Sponsor: Iowa West Foundation

Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 929 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 13, 2025. 2. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Charles T. Harrell of Woodford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 13, 2025. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.