About Columbia
Lewis & Clark
Corps of Discovery Bicentennial Commemoration
2004-2006
In 1804, Thomas Jefferson sent forth the Corps of Discovery to explore the
territory of the Louisiana Purchase. In 2004, visitors can rediscover the past at a variety of locations and events in Central Missouri.
Details of the Corps’ passage through Mid-Missouri can be found in Boone’s Lick Heritage, Volume 8, Nos. 2-3, June-September 2000. The issue features Lewis and Clark in the Boonslick by local historian Jim Denny, with special commentary by Gary Moulton. Copies are available at several Columbia bookstores. Pebble Publishing also has book, Exploring Lewis and Clark’s Missouri available at www.pebblepublishing.com.
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
Located in what today is Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, visitors can view Roche Piercee Natural Arch from the Katy Trail State Park at mile post 166.9 which also features a wayside interpretive sign near the mouth of the formation’s namesake creek, Perche Creek. Bordered by the Katy Trail, Missouri River and Perche Creek., Eagle Bluffs’ 3,635 acres, includes 1,200 wetland acres. Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, at 573/884-6861, or visit their website at www.conservation.state.mo.us.
The Katy Trail
Eagle Bluffs is just a few miles downriver of Hindman Junction where the Katy Trail and Columbia’s MKT spur trail meet. The McBaine Trailhead is approximately 8 miles south of Columbia on Providence Road/Route K. Upriver, between McBaine and Rocheport, the Katy Trail travels through the six-mile Manitou Bluffs area. These towering limestone bluffs received their name from the Algonquian name for the Great Spirit. The Big Manitou Rock was a bluff of substantial size located near the Katy Rail tunnel in Rocheport. Jim Denny notes that Captain Clark’s journal indicated the Indians had left “Several Curious Paintings and Carveing” on the rock. Clark’s journal entry dated June 7, 1804 depicted the images which included an antlered Manitou, a buffalo, and a human figure with upraised arms. Unfortunately, as Denny’s article explains, these paintings were lost during construction of the railroad. Additional pictographs were noted upriver by later explorers, but no mention of them was made by members of the Corps of Discovery. The other pictographs were located at Torbett Springs which is now called Lewis and Clark Cave. Located near at Katy Trail mile post 174.4, a rare surviving pictograph from the Torbett Spring group is visible about 50' above the Lewis & Clark Cave. Wayside interpretive signs discussing both sets of pictographs can be found along the Katy Trail. For more info on the Katy Trail, visit www.katytrailstatepark.com.
Thomas Jefferson’s original grave-marker
Several other sites can enhance your Lewis & Clark rediscovery. The Historic Francis Quadrangle on the MU Campus is the heart of the first Land Grant University in the former Louisiana Purchase territory. In addition to the columns of the original Academic Hall, travelers can visit Thomas Jefferson’s original grave-marker and a bronze sculpture of Jefferson. Just south of the grave marker, Swallow Hall houses the Museum of Anthropology which features numerous exhibits including American Indian artifacts, a replica pioneer cabin, and fur traders’ canoe. The Walters-Boone County Historical Museum also features exhibits about area history.
Drive Lewis and Clark Country using these helpful maps
The Missouri River Communities Network can help you reconnect with Lewis & Clark & Your Natural Heritage with Bicentennial Byways, colorful maps of the Lewis and Clark Country. The MRCN plays a vital role in the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery 200th Anniversary as well as commemoration events happening in towns along the Missouri River.
Shebby Lee Tours
Specializing in the historic and cultural heritage of the Great American West since 1978 and Journeys of Exploration & Discovery for people who want meaningful travel experiences.
Missouri...where the trail begins! Visit Shebby Lee Tours
Corps of Discovery Bicentennial Commemoration
2004-2006
In 1804, Thomas Jefferson sent forth the Corps of Discovery to explore the
territory of the Louisiana Purchase. In 2004, visitors can rediscover the past at a variety of locations and events in Central Missouri.
Details of the Corps’ passage through Mid-Missouri can be found in Boone’s Lick Heritage, Volume 8, Nos. 2-3, June-September 2000. The issue features Lewis and Clark in the Boonslick by local historian Jim Denny, with special commentary by Gary Moulton. Copies are available at several Columbia bookstores. Pebble Publishing also has book, Exploring Lewis and Clark’s Missouri available at www.pebblepublishing.com.
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
Located in what today is Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, visitors can view Roche Piercee Natural Arch from the Katy Trail State Park at mile post 166.9 which also features a wayside interpretive sign near the mouth of the formation’s namesake creek, Perche Creek. Bordered by the Katy Trail, Missouri River and Perche Creek., Eagle Bluffs’ 3,635 acres, includes 1,200 wetland acres. Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, at 573/884-6861, or visit their website at www.conservation.state.mo.us.
The Katy Trail
Eagle Bluffs is just a few miles downriver of Hindman Junction where the Katy Trail and Columbia’s MKT spur trail meet. The McBaine Trailhead is approximately 8 miles south of Columbia on Providence Road/Route K. Upriver, between McBaine and Rocheport, the Katy Trail travels through the six-mile Manitou Bluffs area. These towering limestone bluffs received their name from the Algonquian name for the Great Spirit. The Big Manitou Rock was a bluff of substantial size located near the Katy Rail tunnel in Rocheport. Jim Denny notes that Captain Clark’s journal indicated the Indians had left “Several Curious Paintings and Carveing” on the rock. Clark’s journal entry dated June 7, 1804 depicted the images which included an antlered Manitou, a buffalo, and a human figure with upraised arms. Unfortunately, as Denny’s article explains, these paintings were lost during construction of the railroad. Additional pictographs were noted upriver by later explorers, but no mention of them was made by members of the Corps of Discovery. The other pictographs were located at Torbett Springs which is now called Lewis and Clark Cave. Located near at Katy Trail mile post 174.4, a rare surviving pictograph from the Torbett Spring group is visible about 50' above the Lewis & Clark Cave. Wayside interpretive signs discussing both sets of pictographs can be found along the Katy Trail. For more info on the Katy Trail, visit www.katytrailstatepark.com.
Thomas Jefferson’s original grave-marker
Several other sites can enhance your Lewis & Clark rediscovery. The Historic Francis Quadrangle on the MU Campus is the heart of the first Land Grant University in the former Louisiana Purchase territory. In addition to the columns of the original Academic Hall, travelers can visit Thomas Jefferson’s original grave-marker and a bronze sculpture of Jefferson. Just south of the grave marker, Swallow Hall houses the Museum of Anthropology which features numerous exhibits including American Indian artifacts, a replica pioneer cabin, and fur traders’ canoe. The Walters-Boone County Historical Museum also features exhibits about area history.
Drive Lewis and Clark Country using these helpful maps
The Missouri River Communities Network can help you reconnect with Lewis & Clark & Your Natural Heritage with Bicentennial Byways, colorful maps of the Lewis and Clark Country. The MRCN plays a vital role in the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery 200th Anniversary as well as commemoration events happening in towns along the Missouri River.
Shebby Lee Tours
Specializing in the historic and cultural heritage of the Great American West since 1978 and Journeys of Exploration & Discovery for people who want meaningful travel experiences.
Missouri...where the trail begins! Visit Shebby Lee Tours
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