1806–1812
Post-Expedition
After the expedition, Lewis was appointed Governor of Louisiana Territory but struggled and died in 1809. Clark served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs and Governor of Missouri Territory. Their specimens reached museums and botanists worldwide, treaty negotiations with western tribes began, and the journals were eventually published.
1
Key Figures
23
Wildlife & Plants
6
Artwork
33
Treaties
5
Documents
11
Allied Sites
2
Research Articles
Explore the Trail
See the 360° panoramic trail covering 4,300 miles of the Lewis & Clark route
Wildlife & Plants
23 itemsBear Grass
Lewis described bear grass on June 15, 1806, on the Lolo Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains, noting "There is a great abundance of a species of bear-grass which grows on every part of these mountains."...
Bitterroot
The bitterroot is perhaps the most celebrated botanical discovery of the expedition. Lewis collected it on July 1, 1806, at Travelers' Rest near the Bitterroot River in Missoula County, Montana. Botanist Frederick Pursh established the...
Bushy-tailed Woodrat
Lewis described the bushy-tailed woodrat in detail at Fort Clatsop on February 27, 1806, noting it as a species "new to science." The animal resembled a standard rat but had distinctively large ears and a...
Elk
While elk were known to Eastern Americans, Lewis and Clark encountered the Rocky Mountain subspecies in prodigious numbers and provided detailed descriptions that distinguished it from the eastern variety. Elk were a critical food source...
Eulachon
On February 24, 1806, Clatsop chief Coboway brought the first eulachon to Fort Clatsop, marking the beginning of the annual spring run of this important food fish. Lewis drew a detailed likeness of the fish...
Lewis's Wild Flax
Lewis collected the first specimen of this wild flax on July 9, 1806, near the Sun River in Montana, during the expedition's return journey. Frederick Pursh named the species in Lewis's honor. The delicate blue...
Mountain Beaver
Lewis described this unusual rodent in 1806 at Fort Clatsop, noting that it was "about the size of a squirrel" with soft-looking fur. The Chinook and Clatsop peoples called the animal a "sewelel." Despite its...
Mountain Goat
Lewis and Clark never saw a live mountain goat during their expedition, despite hearing numerous accounts from Native peoples about "white buffaloe or mountain sheep of the snowey hights" in the Bitterroot Mountains. They did...
Mountain Quail
Lewis described the mountain quail on March 3, 1806, near the Columbia River in the Cascade Range of Oregon, providing the first scientific description of the species. Reubin Field killed a bird "of the Quail...
Oregon Bobcat
Lewis described the Oregon subspecies of the bobcat while at Fort Clatsop during the winter of 1805-1806. He noted it was similar to the wild cats of the eastern states but differed in coloring and...
Oregon Grape
Lewis first described the Oregon grape on February 12, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. He compared it to "the plan common to many parts of the U' States called the mountain holley." The specimen was collected...
Oregon Ruffed Grouse
Lewis described the Oregon ruffed grouse at Fort Clatsop on February 5, 1806, when Reubin Field returned from a hunt with "a phesant which differed but little from those common to the Atlantic states." Elliott...
Pacific Tree Frog
Lewis and Clark encountered the Pacific tree frog in the Pacific Northwest during their winter at Fort Clatsop in 1805-1806. This small frog, distinctive for its loud "ribbit" call, is the most commonly heard frog...
Ragged Robin
On June 1, 1806, Lewis "met with a singular plant today in blume" and collected it on the steep, fertile hills northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. Frederick Pursh named the entire genus Clarkia in honor of...
Salal
Lewis collected the salal specimen on January 20, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, and wrote a detailed description on February 8, 1806. He had previously mistaken it for a species of laurel. The Chinook and Clatsop...
Sea Otter
Lewis and Clark encountered sea otters through their interactions with Clatsop and Chinook peoples at the Pacific coast during the winter of 1805-1806. While the sea otter was already known to European traders, the expedition...
Sitka Spruce
Lewis and Clark encountered massive Sitka spruce trees along the Pacific coast in November-December 1805 while searching for lumber to build Fort Clatsop. Patrick Gass wrote that it "rives better than any other species" and...
Starry Flounder
Lewis and Clark encountered the starry flounder in the Columbia River estuary during their winter at Fort Clatsop. This flatfish, distinctive for its star-shaped tubercles on its body, was a common species in the coastal...
Western Grebe
Lewis described the western grebe in his natural history observations at Fort Clatsop during the winter of 1805-1806. This large diving bird, with its striking black and white plumage and long neck, was among the...
Western Serviceberry
Lewis was the first to collect a specimen of the western serviceberry for science. The berries were a favorite food of the entire expedition, and Lewis recorded that the Lemhi Shoshone also prized them. The...
Western Tanager
Lewis first described the western tanager on June 6, 1806, near the Clearwater River in present-day Idaho. The bird's brilliant yellow body with red head and black wings made it one of the most visually...
Western Toad
Lewis and Clark described the western toad during their expedition through the Pacific Northwest. This large toad, which can reach 5 inches in length, is found from Alaska to Baja California. Lewis noted its distinctive...
White Sturgeon
Lewis and Clark encountered the white sturgeon in the Columbia River region during their winter at Fort Clatsop in 1805-1806. The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America, capable of reaching 20...
Artwork
6 itemsFort Clark on the Missouri
View of Fort Clark, the American Fur Company trading post where Bodmer and Prince Maximilian spent the winter of 1833–34. Lewis and Clark had also wintered nearby at Fort Mandan…
Mato-Tope, A Mandan Chief
Iconic portrait of Mato-Tope (Four Bears), the celebrated Mandan chief, in full ceremonial regalia with eagle feathers and ermine tails. Bodmer painted him at Fort Clark on April 14, 1834.…
Meriwether Lewis
Life portrait of Meriwether Lewis commissioned by Charles Willson Peale for his Philadelphia Museum. Lewis wears a fur-trimmed coat, likely an ermine tippet given to him by Cameahwait, chief of…
Mih-Tutta-Hangkusch, A Mandan Village
Panoramic view of the last large Mandan village on the Missouri River, showing earth lodges, bull boats on the river, and daily village life. Bodmer stayed here through the winter…
The Interior of the Hut of a Mandan Chief
Detailed interior view of the earth lodge of Mandan leader Dippaeuch at Mih-Tutta-Hang-Kusch. Shows the domestic arrangement of a Mandan home including weapons, tools, and furnishings. One of Bodmer’s most…
William Clark
Life portrait of William Clark painted for Peale’s Philadelphia Museum, serving as a companion piece to the Peale portrait of Lewis. Clark wears a dark coat with a white cravat.…
Treaties
33 itemsTreaty with the Foxes, 1815
The Treaty with the Fox of 1815 was signed on September 14, 1815 between the United States and the Fox tribe. Its purpose was to re-establish peace and friendship after…
Treaty with the Grand Pawnee, 1818
The Treaty with the Pawnee of 1818 was signed on June 18, 1818 between the United States and the Grand Pawnee tribe. Its main purpose was to establish perpetual peace…
Treaty with the Iowa, 1815
This 1815 treaty was between the United States and the Iaway (Iowa) tribe to reestablish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for past injuries…
Treaty with the Iowa, 1824
This 1824 treaty was between the United States and the Ioway Tribe. The Ioway ceded all their land claims in Missouri between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to the U.S.…
Treaty with the Iowa, etc., 1836
The Treaty with the Iowa and Missouri Sac and Fox of 1836 was signed on September 17, 1836 between the U.S. and the Iowa tribe and Missouri Sac and Fox…
Treaty with the Kansa, 1825
The Treaty with the Kansas of 1825 was signed on June 3, 1825 between the United States and the Kansas Nation. Under this treaty, the Kansas ceded lands in Missouri…
Treaty with the Kickapoo, 1815
This 1815 treaty was between the United States and the Kickapoo tribe to reestablish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for past injuries and…
Treaty with the Makah, 1815
This 1815 treaty was between the United States and the Mahas tribe to reestablish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for any past injuries…
Treaty with the Menominee, 1817
The Treaty with the Menominee of 1817 was signed on March 30, 1817 between the United States and the Menominee tribe. Its main purpose was to re-establish peace and friendship…
Treaty with the Noisy Pawnee, 1818
The Treaty with the Pawnee (Pitavirate Noisy) of 1818 was signed on June 19, 1818 between the U.S. and the Pitavirate Noisy Pawnee tribe. Its purpose was to establish perpetual…
Treaty with the Osage, 1815
The Treaty with the Osage of 1815 was ratified on December 26, 1815 between the United States government and the Great and Little Osage tribes. Its main purpose was to…
Treaty with the Osage, 1818
This 1818 treaty was between the U.S. and the Osage tribes regarding repeated property losses from Osage raids. The Osage ceded land between the Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers to the…
Treaty with the Osage, 1825
This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and the Great and Little Osage tribes, who ceded a large amount of land across Missouri, Arkansas, and beyond. The…
Treaty with the Oto, 1817
This 1817 treaty was between the United States and the Ottoes tribe to reestablish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for any past injuries…
Treaty with the Ottawa, etc., 1816
The Treaty with the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi of 1816 was signed on August 24, 1816 between these tribes and the United States. It settled a land dispute stemming from…
Treaty with the Pawnee Marhar, 1818
The Treaty with the Pawnee Marhar of 1818 was signed on June 22, 1818 between the U.S. and the Pawnee Marhar tribe. Its purpose was to establish perpetual peace and…
Treaty with the Pawnee Republic, 1818
This 1818 treaty was between the United States and the Pawnee Republic to establish peace and friendship. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for any past injuries or hostilities. The Pawnee acknowledged…
Treaty with the Piankashaw, 1815
The Treaty with the Piankeshaw of 1815 was signed on July 18, 1815 between the United States and the Piankeshaw tribe. Its purpose was to re-establish peace and friendship after…
Treaty with the Ponca, 1817
This 1817 treaty was between the United States and the Poncarar tribe to reestablish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for any past injuries…
Treaty with the Potawatomi, 1815
This treaty was signed at Portage des Sioux between the U.S. and Poutawatomie leaders to re-establish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It mutually forgave past hostilities while…
Treaty with the Quapaw, 1818
This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and Quapaw leaders, who ceded large amounts of land in present-day Arkansas while reserving a tract for their nation. The…
Treaty with the Sauk and Foxes, 1824
The Treaty with the Sauk and Foxes of 1824 was signed on August 4, 1824 between the U.S. and the Sauk and Fox tribes. Under this treaty, the Sauk and…
Treaty with the Sauk, 1815
This treaty was signed at Portage des Sioux between the U.S. and Sac tribal leaders who had split off from their main tribes during the War of 1812. They assented…
Treaty with the Sauk, 1816
The Treaty with the Sacs of 1816 was signed on May 13, 1816 between the U.S. and the Sacs of Rock River after hostilities during the War of 1812. It…
Treaty with the Shawnee, 1825
Land cession by the Shawnee. Region: Kansas 2. Covering 7 counties across KS. Associated dates: 1825-11-07, 1854-05-10. Present-Day Tribes Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Shawnee Tribe, Oklahoma
Treaty with the Shawnee, etc., 1832
This treaty was signed at Castor Hill, Missouri between the U.S. and Shawnee and Delaware leaders regarding lands near Cape Girardeau that the Delawares had settled on but were forced…
Treaty with the Sioux Of St. Peter's River, 1815
This 1815 treaty between the United States and the Sioux of the St. Peter’s River sought to reestablish peace after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for past…
Treaty with The Sioux of the Lakes, 1815
This 1815 treaty between the United States and the Sioux of the Lakes sought to reestablish peace after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for past hostilities and…
Treaty with the Sioux, 1816
This treaty was signed in St. Louis between the U.S. and 8 Sioux tribes to re-establish peace and friendship after the War of 1812. It mutually forgave past injuries and…
Treaty with the Sioux, etc., 1825
This 1825 treaty was signed between the United States and several Native American tribes, including the Sioux, Chippewa, Winnebago, Ottawa, and Potawatomi. Its main purpose was to promote peace and…
Treaty with the Teton, 1815
This 1815 treaty between the United States and the Teeton Tribe sought to reestablish peace after the War of 1812. It stipulated mutual forgiveness for past hostilities and renewed friendly…
Treaty with the Winnebago, 1816
This treaty was signed at St. Louis between the U.S. and a group of Winnebago chiefs and warriors living separately on the Wisconsin River. It renewed friendly relations between them…
Treaty with the Yankton Sioux, 1815
The Treaty with the Yancton of 1815 was signed on July 19, 1815 between the United States and the Yancton tribe. Its purpose was to re-establish peace and friendship after…
Documents
5 itemsClark's Map of the American West (1810)
Clark drew maps throughout the expedition, eventually compiling them into a master manuscript map that depicted the entire route from St. Louis to the Pacific. Published as an engraved version…
History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark (Biddle Edition)
After Lewis’s death in 1809 left the journals unpublished, Clark entrusted them to Biddle, who produced a readable narrative from the raw journal entries. The two-volume work included Clark’s map…
Jefferson's Message to Congress on the Expedition's Return
Jefferson presented to Congress Lewis’s summary of the expedition’s findings, including estimates of Native populations, trade potential, and geographical observations. He requested that Congress grant double pay and 320 acres…
Land Warrants Issued to Expedition Members
On March 3, 1807, Congress passed an act granting double pay and land warrants to the members of the expedition. Captains Lewis and Clark received 1,600 acres each; enlisted men…
Sergeant Gass's Journal (Published 1807)
Gass’s account was published as “A Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a Corps of Discovery” in 1807. As the expedition carpenter, Gass provided unique details about the construction…
Allied Sites
11 itemsAmerican Museum of Natural History — Lewis & Clark Sculptures
Features 13-foot sculptures of Lewis, Clark, and other American explorers by James Earle Fraser on its Central Park facade.
Bad Mergentheim Castle — Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau in Germany
Castle where Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, Sacagawea's son, lived for five years (1824-1829) as a guest of Duke Paul of Württemberg.
Booth Western Art Museum
One of the largest permanent exhibitions of Western art in the United States, with works depicting the Lewis and Clark era.
Charleston Museum — Lewis & Clark Herbarium
One of three repositories holding Lewis and Clark botanical specimens, housed in one of America's oldest museums.
Chickasaw Cultural Center — Jefferson Peace Medal
Houses a Jefferson Peace Medal, one of the diplomatic gifts carried by Lewis and Clark to present to tribal leaders.
Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
Features Charles Fritz paintings of Lewis and Clark scenes plus exhibits on the animals documented during the expedition.
Neuwied Castle — Prince Maximilian and Karl Bodmer Collections
Home of Prince Maximilian and Karl Bodmer's collections documenting the Mandan and Hidatsa peoples visited by Lewis and Clark.
Newberry Library — Joseph Whitehouse Journal
Repository of the Joseph Whitehouse Journal, providing an enlisted soldier's perspective on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Lewis & Clark Herbarium
Holds Lewis and Clark botanical specimens, part of the international distribution of the expedition's scientific collections.
Trinity Church Cemetery — Albert Gallatin Burial
Burial site of Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury who helped finance the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Wisconsin Historical Society — Charles Floyd Journal
Home of the Charles Floyd Journal and the Draper Collection of frontier history manuscripts.
Research Articles
2 itemsCompany Commanders to Bureaucratic Administrators: Lewis & Clark After the Expedition
The post-expedition years of Lewis and Clark, from celebrated explorers to territorial administrators. Covers Lewis's governorship of Upper Louisiana, Clark's military career, their accomplishments in St. Louis, and Lewis's tragic death in 1809.
Fort Manuel: Its Historical Significance and the Death of Sacagawea
Irving W. Anderson's definitive scholarly analysis proving that Sacagawea died at Fort Manuel on the Missouri River on December 20, 1812, contradicting the long-held theory that she lived until 1884 in Wyoming. Based on primary sources including the Luttig journal and William Clark's own records.
