Kansas City

One of the first observations by members of the Corps of Discovery in the area where the Kansas River flows into the Missouri River is the large number of parakeets (or Parrot Queets in the journal). At one time the Carolina Parakeets, which were the only parrot species native to North America were abundant; however, by the mid-20th Century, they were extinct. When camped just above the mouth of the Kansas River, Clark entered in his journal on June 26, 1804 the following, "I observed a great number of Parrot queets" this evening." The birds probably made themselves well known both by their flamboyant colors and their singing. The journaling members of the Corps of Discovery are well known for quite creative spelling and grammar.

The Corps decided to remain camped just north of the mouth of the Kansas River, which had been named after the Kansa or Kaw Indian nation, to make repairs to the boats, to make measurements of the rivers and other scientific observations, and to recruit additional members of the Corps. Of the River and the Indian nation, Clark wrote,

"...This River recves its name from a nation which dwells at this time on its banks & 2 villages one about 20 Leagues & the other 40 Leagues up, those Indians are not verry noumerous at this time, reduced by war with their neighbours, &c. they formerly liveid on the South banks of the Missouries 24 Leagues above this river in a open & butifull plain and were verry noumerous at the time the french first Settled the Illinois, I am told they are a fierce & warlike people, being badly Supplied with fire arms, become easily conquered by the Aiauway & Saukees who are better furnished with those materials of war, This nation is now out in the plains hunting the Buffalow..."

The Confluence of the Kansas River and Missouri River

Clark also noted that the location was, "a butifull place for a fort, good landing place." 

At the time of the expedition, this part of the continent was included in the Louisiana Purchase. As states were formed, it was often the rivers that became boundaries between the states. Today, the place the expedition landed is Kansas City, and the place they set up camp was in current day Kansas. We visited sites in both Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.


Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas, is a point of land that juts out where the two rivers meet, and a sculpture depicting Lewis and Clark sits at the end of the point. The park area also includes a monument to the Indian nations that were local to the area, an amphitheater facing the rivers, and trails along the river bank. Altogether, it is a peaceful place and a fitting monument.

 Here's a friend Gene made at Kaw Point.

Kaw Point from Case Park

Kansas City, Missouri, also established a monument to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition in Case Park, which is situated high up on a bluff. The park, being so high, affords a magnificent view of the convergence. In the photo to the right, the Kansas River is on the left, and the Missouri is on the right. Kaw Point is in the center.






Case Park is a shady spot overlooking the river. Although the day we visited the temperature was in the low 90's, the shade and steady breeze helped us stay cool. The shape of the park is circular with benches all around facing the fantastic view. Right in the center is a beautiful and elaborate sculpture depicting Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, York, and Seaman. York was Clark's slave, and Seaman was Lewis' Newfoundland dog. The detail in the sculpture is wonderful. I found myself captivated. No telling how many times I circled the sculpture.









I could easily imagine a school group having a list to hunt for various details in the sculpture. However, today schoolchildren may think Clark is checking his cell phone rather than his compass.