Lewis and Clark Expedition Information, re-posted 5/25/98

Related historical timeline created with Timeliner (Nobles grad, Tom Snyder)

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Merriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore what is now the northwest of the United States. He asked them to record as much information about the land, animals and people as possible. Lewis and Clark set out from St. Louis in 1804 with a group of about fifty men. The expedition began along the Missouri River, which would allow them to travel a substantial distance without the possibility of being lost, as long as they stayed with the river. When they reached the area of what is now Bismarck, North Dakota, a Shoshone woman named Sacagawea joined the group as a translator and a guide. They reached the headwaters of the Missouri River in 1805, shortly afterwards crossing the Rocky Mountains. The group crossed the Rocky Mountains and followed the Snake, Salmon and Columbia Rivers to the Pacific ocean, where they turned around and headed home. On their way home in 1806, Lewis and Clark split up into two groups and each found a new trail over the Rocky Mountains. They regrouped at the Missouri River and followed it home to St. Louis.

Sources Used


The Reader's Companion to American History

Lewis and Clark Links!

Lewis and Clark Pictures!