Meriwether Lewis: Life Compass

Meriwether Lewis: Life Compass. . In 1809, renowned explorer Meriwether Lewis traveled up the Old Natchez Trace on his way to Washington, D.C. He stopped here at an inn called Grinder’s Stand, and died during the night. , , What is a Compass Rose? , A compass rose is a symbol that appears on maps to show the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. The compass rose on this trail shows some of the important “directions” in Meriwether Lewis’ life. , , Footsteps of the Past , This trail will lead you to a preserved section of the historic Natchez Trace, where you may follow in Meriwether Lewis’ footsteps and those of countless other travelers through time. , , Pittsburgh, PA , Lewis joined the U.S. Militia in 1784 to help suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in Pittsburgh. , , Washington, D.C. , Lewis was on his way to Washington, D.C. to address disputed charges he’d made as governor. , , Virginia , Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1774. , , Georgia , Lewis spent part of his childhood in Georgia attending school. , , Gulf of Mexico , In 1809 Lewis initially planned to sail through the Gulf of Mexico and up the Atlantic Ocean to Washington, D.C., but he decided to avoid the British warships. , , New Orleans, LA , Days before his death, Lewis was heading down the Mississippi River to New Orleans but decided to change his route and take the Old Natchez Trace to Washington, D.C. , , Fort Pickering, TN , While traveling to Washington, D.C. Lewis stopped at Fort Pickering, near present-day Memphis, Tennessee. , , Oregon , As co-leader of the Corps of Discovery expedition, Lewis’ final destination was the Pacific Ocean. , , St. Louis, MO , After the Corps of Discovery expedition, Lewis moved to St. Louis to preside as governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory.