Guide Note

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was the first United States overland expedition to the Pacific coast and back. President Thomas Jefferson gave Meriwether Lewis the mandate to explore the Missouri River and routes west to the Pacific Ocean in 1803. The expedition would last two years, and would cover thousands of miles of previously unexplored territory. Jefferson was anxious to learn of a passable route from the east of the continent to the Pacific Ocean, but was concerned about the dangers of such an exploration. In the end, the explorers only lost one of their party, to appendicitis. Due to extensive diaries kept by Lewis and Clark, we know much of the details of their odyssey. They brought back with them a list of new species of plants and animals, and opened the way for future exploration and settlement of the western part of the continent.

Fast Facts

1. Expedition began: May 14, 1804
2. Expedition ended: September 23, 1806
3. City of origin: St. Louis, Missouri
4. Also known as the Corps of Discovery
5. Began with 33 people
6. Met Shoshone Indian Sacagawea during winter of 1804-05
7. Only one person died on the trip

They brought vast amounts of equipment with them, including:

1. Presents for Indians such as scissors, mirrors, combs, cloth
2. Guns, knives, bullet making supplies
3. Medical supplies
4. Books
5. Surveying instruments
6. Tools, soap, writing paper