Fort Calhoun in Washington County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Lewis and Clark Campsite
July 30 - August 2, 1804
Photographed by Michael James, May 24, 2008
1. Lewis and Clark Campsite: Marker
Inscription.
Lewis and Clark Campsite. July 30 - August 2, 1804. On July 30 the explorers arrived at the bluff where Fort Atkinson would be built less than two decades later. Clark wrote, "The Situation of this place which we Call Council Bluff which is handsom ellevated a Spot well Calculated... for a fort to Command the Countrey and river the low bottom above high water and well Situated under the Command of the Hill for Houses to trade with the Natives." Four days later the Oto Indians, who lived in a village along the Platte River, came to the Lewis and Clark camp for a council. Captain Clark "mad up a Small preasent for those people in perpotion to their Consiqunce also a package with a meadile to accompany a Speech for the Grand Chief after Brackfast we collected those Indians under an orning of our Main Sail... Delivered a long Speech to them expressive of our journey and the wirkes of our Government, Some advice to them and Directions how They were to Conduct themselves."
On July 30 the explorers arrived at the bluff where Fort Atkinson would be built less than two decades later. Clark wrote, "The Situation of this place which we Call Council Bluff which is handsom ellevated a Spot well Calculated... for a fort to Command the Countrey and river the low bottom above high water & well Situated under the Command of the Hill for Houses to trade with the Natives." Four days later the Oto Indians, who lived in a village along the Platte River, came to the Lewis and Clark camp for a council. Captain Clark "mad up a Small preasent for those people in perpotion to their Consiqunce also a package with a meadile to accompany a Speech for the Grand Chief after Brackfast we collected those Indians under an orning of our Main Sail... Delivered a long Speech to them expressive of our journey and the wirkes of our Government, Some advice to them and Directions how They were to Conduct themselves."
Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society, National Park Service. (Marker Number 341.)
Location. 41° 27.311′ N, 96° 0.946′ W. Marker is in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, in Washington County. It can be reached from Madison St 0.6 miles east of U.S. 75. Located in the trees just North of the Visitor's Center in Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Calhoun NE 68023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in Greater Omaha. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2008, by Michael James of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. This page has been viewed 2,677 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2008, by Michael James of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Pictures of sculpture depicting Lewis and Clark's "First Council." • Can you help?
