Near Weippe in Clearwater County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

First Contact Between Two Cultures

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018

1. First Contact Between Two Cultures Marker

Caption: This prairie has been a traditional Nez Perce gathering place for thousands of years. Here they socialized and gathered camas roots.

Inscription. I Set out early and proceeded ... to a Small Plain in which I found maney Indian lodges ... I met 3 Indian boys, when they saw me they ran and hid themselves. -- Capt. William Clark, September 20, 1805

After Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery emerged half starved, from the Bitterroot Mountains, the first people they saw were three Nez Perce boys here on the prairie. The children were terrified; they had never seen white men. In the nearby village the Nez Perce fed the expedition, guided them to the Clearwater River, and provided some assistance while they built canoes for the journey to the Pacific.
The encounter was significant to both groups. From Lewis and Clark's journals, the world would learn that the Nez Perce were a friendly, resourceful people. For the Nez Perce, this was their first experience of a culture that would soon arrive in waves.

Erected by Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1805.

Location. 46° 21.004′ N, 115° 55.476′ W. Marker is near Weippe, Idaho

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, in Clearwater County. Marker is on Camas Road near Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weippe ID 83553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Corps of Discovery (here, next to this marker); Weippe Prairie (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named First Contact Between Two Cultures (approx. 2 miles away); Lewis and Clark (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Weippe Prairie (approx. 2.2 miles away); "Handsome Small Prairie" (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fraser Park (approx. 6.4 miles away); Fraser (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weippe.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018

2. First Contact Between Two Cultures Marker

The marker is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.