Lewis & Clark Trip Day 11: More Missouri (5/18/2021)

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 (continued)

*On 6/9/1804, the Corps of Discovery's keelboat got caught on a snag, causing it to swing around exposing its side to floating timber.*

Arrow Rock State Historic Site, with no Lewis & Clark
Historical Markers, nor view of the Missouri River

*On 6/15/1804, the Missouri River became wider and swifter. William Clark estimated the river was running at seven miles per hour. The Corps of Discovery arrived at the abandoned sites of Little Osage and Missouria villages.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail sign

Van Meter State Park: Lewis & Clark Historical Marker

A half-mile Missouri River Overlook Trail
brought us to this view, which at least
illustrates the wide floodplain

305th Road turned out to be a gravel road

Lewis & Clark Trail sign

*On 6/23/1804, Lewis and Clark noted a likely site for a fort on a high commanding position 70 feet above the high water mark and overlooking the river.*

In 1808, William Clark returned to design and build
what was to become Fort Osage, seen here with its garden
at Fort Osage National Historic Landmark

This is a replica fort, but flies the flag of 1812

The Factory was outside the stockade

The Interpreters' Cabin was also outside the stockade

Entering the stockade towards Blockhouse #4 (KSS)

Blockhouses #2 and #3, the flagpole, and the short white pole
in front of the flagpole is the Punishment Post where
discipline was handled by flogging (abolished in 1812) (KSS)

Soldiers' Quarters that could house 81 enlisted men

Soldiers' Quarters interior

Woodshop

Blacksmith Shop

View from Blockhouse #3 (KSS)

Small cannon in Blockhouse #3 (KSS)

Stairs in Blockhouse #2; note the gun portholes

View of the Missouri River from Blockhouse #2

Blockhouse #1 and Officers' Quarters

Officers' Quarters downstairs interior

Officers' Quarters downstairs interior

Note the gutters and downspout of the
Factory (and a rain barrel!) (KSS)

Factory interior (KSS)

Factory store

What was the Factory? It was where the Factors worked. The factory system was established in 1796 by George Washington, based on the factor being the person who buys and sells on behalf of his employer. In this case, the employer was the US government and the purpose was to trade quality goods at a low price to establish good relations with the First Peoples. The factory system was discontinued in 1822 when Missouri Territory representative, Thomas Hart Benton, became Senator Benton after Missouri gained statehood in 1821. He convinced Congress to privatize the the trading posts!

Fort Osage National Historic Landmark Learning Center
(2007) is LEED Gold building using geothermal energy,
is 100% daylit, and has a vegetative roof

The Osage Nation were the main
traders at Fort Osage

Down on the shore of the swiftly moving
Missouri River, with piles of dead wood; floating logs
and trees were a problem for the Corps of Discovery

The Missouri River today

Our dinner options were whatever was open in the
Ameristar Casino Food Court!

Next: Lewis & Clark Trip Day 12.