Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 18, 2017
1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
In 1804-06, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark lead about 40 soldiers and boatmen on an epic journey. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned this "Corps of Discovery" to find a rout 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 350,000 square miles - from Fence 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 this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is
this page online
Location. 44° 26.64′ N, 100° 22.547′ W. Marker is in Pierre, South Dakota, in Hughes County. Marker is on Highway 1804, 1.7 miles west of Grey Goose Rd. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pierre SD 57501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Changing Landscape (here, next to this marker); A Tense Three Days (here, next to this marker); The Oahe Dam & Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Sioux Indian Mosaic (approx. 0.9 miles away); Turtle Effigy (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oahe Mission (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oahe Mission School and Chapel (approx. 1.1 miles away); Stilling Basin (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, July 18, 2017
2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
