Near Dillon in Beaverhead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker

Captions: (upper right) The United States purchased the Louisiana territory -- ore that 83,000 square miles -- from France 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, the worked harmoniously throughout the two-year journey.; (map, across the bottom) Route of the Expedition (with annotations) (Click on image to enlarge the map.)

Inscription. In 1804-06, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led about 40 soldiers and boatmen on an epic journey. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned this “Corps of Discovery” to find a route 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

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 included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists.

Location. 44° 59.456′ N, 112° 52.211′ W. Marker is near Dillon, Montana, in Beaverhead County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 324 near Interstate 15, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dillon MT 59725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Fortunate Camp (a few steps from this marker); "it was mutually advantageous..." (a few steps from this marker); Sacajawea (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Montana-Utah Road (approx. 10.2 miles away); Bannack (approx. 11.1 miles away); Old Trail to the Gold Diggin's (approx. 11.1 miles away); Southern Gateway Marker (approx. 11½ miles away); Nez Perce Camp (approx. 13.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dillon.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the Camp Fortunate overlook located at the northwest edge of Clark Canyon Reservoir. This marker is also found at several other site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail,

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

2. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Marker

The marker is located in front of the shelter.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.