Passing La Charette — Last White Settlement

As the expedition made its way up the Missouri River, Clark noted passing La Charette, a small French settlement that represented the westernmost outpost of Euro-American civilization on the Missouri River.

“Passed a Small french Village called La Charette, the people at this Village appear pore, polite & harmonious. This is the last Settlement of Whites on this river.”

Beyond this point, the Corps of Discovery entered territory known to Euro-Americans only through the accounts of fur traders and Native peoples. The expedition was now truly venturing into the unknown.