Iowa and Nebraska Lewis and Clark Sites

Council Bluffs, Iowa

We were excited to visit Council Bluffs, the site of the first council the Corps of Discovery held with Native Americans living west of the Missouri River, and the overlook and commemorative site were more than we had expected.

Overlook at Council Bluffs

The Corps of Discovery camped at what they called Camp Whitefish, which was about ten miles from the Platte River convergence to make the normal observations and to arrange for a meeting with the Indians in the area. Clark sent George Drewyer and Petter Crousett out to look for the Otoes and Pawnees to request that the chiefs join them for a council. The men of the Corps busied themselves by drying out their provisions, making new oars, hunting and dressing skins, Clark updated the maps, and Lewis prepared papers to send back to President Jefferson. Drewyer and Crousett returned, but reported that they did not find any Indians in the villages and though they did see signs of a small hunting party, they were unable to locate them. However, after the Corps had moved up river north of Council Bluffs, they did encounter and Indian, and la Liberty (one of the interpreters) traveled to the village to invite the chiefs to a council.

The view from Council Bluffs

Clark noted in his journal:
  "Capt. Lewis and my Self walked in the Prairie on the top of the Bluff and observed the most butifull prospects imagionable, this Prairie is Covered with grass about 10 or 12 Inch high, rises about 1/2 a mile back Something higher and is a Plain as fur as Can be Seen, under those high Lands next the river is butifull Bottom interspersed with Groves of timber, the River may be seen for a great Distance..."

Monument at Council Bluffs

Finally, after several days, the interpreter, Mr. Fairfong, brought a party of Otoe and Missourie Indians to the camp, and arrangements were made for the Corps of Discovery's first council with the Natives. Clark described the Indians as as "handsome stout well made set of Indians & have good open Countenances, and are of a light brown colour, and have long black hair, which they do wear without cutting."

Image on the monument

Omaha, Nebraska

We made a stop in Omaha to visit the National Headquarters for the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Headquarters are located right next to the Omaha Riverwalk. Since we were there just before Labor Day, all kinds of preparations were being made for river side festivities.

The Center has lots of information about the trail from beginning to end, and we collected brochures for later. One of the exhibits I found interesting was a poster showing how the Native Americans used every part of the buffalo. I had always heard that they did, but the poster was helpful in showing what was used for what. 

How Native Americans Used the Buffalo

Pedestrian Bridge from Nebraska to Omaha

We also walked across the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge that connects Council Bluffs, Iowa with Omaha, Nebraska. About halfway across the bridge, you can stand in both Nebraska and Iowa at the same time. The weather was glorious. very warm, but not hot, and the breeze while we walked across the bridge made it perfect.

In Two States

The Missouri River from Nebraka/Iowa

The Fountain in the Heartland of America Park

Also along the Riverwalk past the Lewis and Clark Landing is the Heartland of America Park and fountain, an absolutely beautiful setting with trails, a large pond, and a fabulous fountain that jets water up to 300 feet. Ducks and geese are plentiful either swimming in the spacious pond, lounging on the island, or hoping for crumbs from picnickers. Visiting the park topped off our visit to Omaha.

A happy face

Lewis and Clark State Park, Iowa

Keel Boat Replica and Visitor Center

Replica of Lewis' Experimental Craft

Next, we visited the keel boat exhibit at Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa. The visitor center houses informative exhibits of the keel boat, pirougues, and the experimental boat Lewis designed as well as of local natural history. A full-size replica of the keel boat floats on the lake, and at times, it is taken out onto the lake with visitors aboard. We were not so fortunate as to take part in that activity.

Ponca State Park, Nebraska
Ponca State Park is located on the high, scenic bluffs of northeastern Nebraska along the banks of the Missouri River. Here the river begins a rare section in which it is allowed to meander at will unhindered by attempts to tame it for human benefit. It is one of the sections that is most likely to appear today much as it did at the time of Lewis and Clark. on August 5, 1804, Clark wrote:

View of the Missouri

"In every bend the banks are falling in from the Current being thrown against those bends by the Sand points which inlarges and the Soil I believe from unquestionable appearns. of the entire bottom from one hill to the other being the mud or ooze of the River at Some former Period mixed with Sand and Clay easily melts and Slips into the River, and the mud mixes with the water & the Sand is washed down and lodges on the points-"

Overlook at Ponca State Park

This beautiful park has an education center, wonderful lodges and campgrounds, and miles of trails through the bluffs with spectacular views of the river. We stopped at an overlook that boasts the ability to see three states: Nebraska, South Dakota on the opposite bank, and Iowa to the east.

Towers of Time

In addition to the connection to Lewis and Clark and the natural beauty of the area, the park has a prominently placed, beautifully detailed sculpture entitled, "Towers of Time," which depicts and honors the animals and people of Nebraska.

The Center Sculpture

Blackbird Overlook, Nebraska

The Disappointing Overlook

We were disappointed with the Chief Blackbird Scenic Overlook. We were expecting to see a gorgeous vista including the Missouri River, but the overlook is so overgrown that we could not see the river at all.

Omaha Tribe Interpretive Lodge

We did enjoy the site's interpretation of the Omaha Tribe's lodges, which included a wealth of information about tribal relationships, religion, and history.

Look carefully for the visitor on the blossom

Sergeant Floyd Monument, Iowa

While the former site underwhelmed us, the Sgt. Floyd Monument site exceeded our expectations. The monument was erected in honor of the only member of the Corps of Discovery to lose his life along the way. It is assumed that he died from a ruptured appendix. On August 19, Clark wrote:

"Sergt. Floyd was taken violently bad with the Beliose Cholick and is dangerously ill   we attempt in Vain to releive him, I am much concerned for his Situation-  we could get nothing to Stay on his Stomach a moment  nature appear exosting fast in him  every man is attentive to him york prlly"

On August 20, he wrote:

"...Floyd died with a great deel of Composure, before his death he Said to me, 'I am going away' I want you to write me a letter' -  We buried him on the top of the bluff 1/2 Miles below a Small river to which we Gave his name, be was buried with the Honors of War much lamented; a Seeder post with the Name Sergt. C. Floyd died here 20th of August 1804 was fixed at the head of his grave - This Man at all times gave us proofs of his firmness and Deturmined resolution to doe Service to his Countrey and honor to himself"

An Impressive Overlook

Gene Taking in the View

Today the site does honor to Sgt. Floyd and is a place of reverence and awe. The place is marked with an obelisk and an impressive overlook of the river that lends itself well to reflection.






Iowa Welcome Center

Iowa Welcome Center

View of the Icons and Names

Before leaving Iowa, we had another pleasant surprise. We found a rest area/Welcome Center that also commemorated the Corps of Discovery. The exterior of the building contains tile icons of the journey including Clark's map, an Arikara shield, a buffalo robe, the keel boat, the presidential coin, and drawings from Lewis' journals as well as the names of the members of the Corps of Discovery including York, Sacajawea, and Seaman.

A Canoe-Shaped Bench

We were somewhat impressed by the attention to detail. Even to the shape of the benches outside. They are shaped like canoes.

A Friendly Sight

Well, this has been a long post, but I hope you have enjoyed the content.