Near Union in Boone County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Lewis and Clark in Kentucky
Big Bone Lick
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 14, 2014
1. Big Bone Lick Marker
Lewis and Clark in Kentucky Big Bone Lick
In Oct. 1803, while traveling down Ohio River to meet Wm. Clark for expedition to Pacific, Meriwether Lewis visited Big Bone Lick. He was to gather fossilized bones for Pres. Thomas Jefferson. In Sept. 1807, Clark supervised a 3-week dig for bones at Jeffersons’s request.
Big Bone Lick
Scientists consider William Clark’s dig at Big Bone Lick in 1807 as establishing American vertebrate paleontology. Bones found here by Clark included mastodon and mammoth. Prehistoric native American artifacts found were given to Dr. Wm. Goforth in Cincinnati.
Sponsored by Friends of Big Bone, Ohio River Chapter - Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, National Park Service, Kentucky Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission.
Erected 2003 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2124.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 38° 53.341′ N, 84° 44.856′ W. Marker is near Union, Kentucky, in Boone County. Marker is on Beaver Road west of Route
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mary Draper Ingles (here, next to this marker); Big Bone Lick (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Ingles (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Bone Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Big Bone Lick (approx. 2.6 miles away); Major John P. Gaines (approx. 4.8 miles away); Richwood Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); Dr. Elwood Mead (approx. 5½ miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.
More about this marker. this is the second of two markers regarding "Big Bone Lick" in this park
the opposite side of this marker is about Lewis and Clark
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 14, 2014
2. Lewis and Clark in Kentucky Big Bone Lick Marker side
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 14, 2014
3. Lewis and Clark in Kentucky Big Bone Lick Marker side
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 14, 2014
4. "Big Bone" at the Nearby Museum
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, October 14, 2014
5. Big Bone Lick State Park sign
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2014, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 694 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 22, 2014, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.
