On our last day, we decided to do some sightseeing in Sioux City. We went to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
Here's a statue of Captain Meriweather Lewis in his uniform. This is what historians think he actually wore and not the Daniel Boone look that most of us remember from text books. This is based from journals and notes from the actual expedition.
Captain William Clark - co-commander of the exploration.
And perhaps my favorite member of the expedition - Seaman - Clark's Newfoundland dog purchased for $20 in 1803. Gee, even then purebred dogs were expensive!
Sioux City is the site of the only death suffered during the Expedition. Sergeant Charles Floyd died from what scientists today believe was an appendicitis. An obelisk was erected in his honor in the early 1900s nearly one hundred years after his death. The Lewis & Clark Expedition was a huge one for the United States as it was the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and made way for Westward Expansion. My ancestors settled in the Sioux City area several decades after the expedition - but still pioneers. My little excursion to the Interpretive Center made me realize just how difficult life must have been 200 years ago.
They are cute! Love the Dog. Just watched the movie about L & C nothing like the real story.
They of course went through our little town of St. Helens as well! and we've been to Ft. Clatsop as well, at least before they burned it down.
Posted by: Trish from Tanglewood Fiber Creations | Friday, December 04, 2009 at 12:27
I loved your photos of the Lewis & Clark statue in Sioux City. We visited there in August and I thoroughly enjoyed the day, as well as a visit out to the Sergeant Floyd monument. We liked the statue so much that I incorporated one of our photos into the banner image on my own blog (Lewis & Clark related).
Posted by: Frances Hunter | Monday, November 30, 2009 at 11:10
Awww...I love Seaman too. I have a newfie. Her name is Murphy and she's a sweetie. I could brush of a shoebox full of hair from her every night. If I was a spinner, I'd make a hat out of it.
Posted by: Kathleen Evanoff | Monday, November 30, 2009 at 07:48
When we were on our Heartland trip two years ago - this was on our 'to do' list but we ran out of time. Thanks for the photos.
Posted by: Judylobo | Monday, November 30, 2009 at 07:03
I bet that was a great outing - Merriweather Lewis' VA home wasn't far from where we lived in VA. Some places are just steeped with history. Good for you going out and finding it!
Posted by: Estella | Monday, November 30, 2009 at 05:43