Eight Thousand Miles
From the confluence of the Missouri to the shore of the Pacific and back — twenty-eight months that redrew the map of a Republic.
1803 – 1806
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The Louisiana Purchase
President Jefferson doubles the size of the young Republic. He commissions Meriwether Lewis to lead the Corps of Discovery.
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Departure from Camp Dubois
On May 14, the Corps of Discovery sets forth up the Missouri River from near St. Louis.
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Gateway to the Mountains
On July 19, Lewis names the towering limestone cliffs along the Missouri near present-day Helena, Montana — the future site of the Memorial.
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Sacagawea & the Shoshone
Sacagawea reunites with her people and secures the horses needed to cross the Bitterroot Mountains.
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The Pacific Ocean
In November, the Corps reaches the Pacific. Clark records: 'Ocian in view! O! the joy.'
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The Return
On September 23, after 8,000 miles and 28 months, the Corps returns to St. Louis — the map of America forever redrawn.