When Lewis and Clark entered St. Charles, Missouri, in 1806, many new settlements had been built. According to Lewis and Clark 1806 Online, Clark said, "the inhabitants of this village appear much delighted at our return and seem to vie with each other in their politeness to us all."
Today, the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center within St. Charles is located beside the Missouri River. Exhibits relating to the Lewis and Clark expedition, reenactments and educational tours take place, preserving the legacy they left behind.
In 1804, the expedition left St. Louis, where the Missouri River empties into the Mississippi River, according to the website Ed Gate. When the group returned to St. Louis in 1806, they had gained a great deal of knowledge about the United States territory. Lewis and Clark had made great strides toward mapping the continent of North America.
North of St. Louis in 1803, Clark established Camp River Dubois on the Wood River. Clark trained men in preparation for the expedition at this location.
Lewis spent that winter in St. Louis, attending ceremonies and preparing for the expedition before meeting back up with Clark in February.
William Clark referred to historical Sainte Genevieve in journal entries on Nov. 28 and Dec. 4th in 1803, according to the Great River Road website. Clark also wrote about the people of Sainte Genevieve and recorded that there were about 120 families, mostly French. The dominant architecture in Sainte Genevieve is French Creole. These dates were before and after Lewis and Clark's stay across the Mississippi River at Fort Kaskaskia. They traveled to Kaskaskia to recruit men for the expedition and to replenish supplies.
Lewis and Clark made camp at the mouth of the Kansas -- or Kaw -- River, in what is now Kansas City. The team camped opposite the town of Sugar Creek in Jackson County, Missouri, the day before on June 25 in 1804. Pierre Dorian joined the expedition and acted as interpreter and was instrumental in lifting their spirits and providing information on what the expedition could expect in the surrounding area.
Fort Osage is the site first noted by Lewis and Clark, according to Lewis and Clark Trail Online. The fort's goal was to maintain a trade and military alliances with the Osage Indians.
