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Fort History Plains Tribes Site Map Special Events Collections Lewis & Clark |
Fort Union Trading Post was a result of Lewis & Clark's exploration. One of President Jefferson's instructions to the leaders of the expedition was to investigate the prospects for trapping and trade
The Corps of Discovery spent more time in the modern day state of North Dakota than in any other state. After wintering at Fort Mandan from 1804-1805, the expedition headed on up river in the spring of 1805. They reached the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers in late April of that year, spending several days
examining the area they called "this long wished for spot."On the return journey in 1806 Lewis and Clark had split up and led divisions of the Corps on separate explorations of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. They were to meet up and rejoin at the confluence of the two rivers, but Clark arrived first then moved downriver to escape the mosquitoes before Lewis arrived. While hunting east of modern-day Williston, ND in 1806 Lewis was accidentally shot in the buttocks by Pierre Cruzatte, who apparently mistook his commanding officer for an elk. Lewis spent much of the next few weeks traveling in a canoe, lying on his stomach.
Several campsites used by the Corps are within driving distance of Fort Union, though none are accessible and most are now under Lake Sakakawea. For more information on the Corps of Discovery
and the Lewis and Clark Trail in the Upper Missouri region, contact:
Lewis & Clark Coordinator
Fort Union Trading Post NHS
15550 Highway 1804
Williston, ND 58801
(701) 572-9083
Map
of Lewis & Clark Campsites in the northwest North Dakota/northeast
Montana region.
Click the map to view a larger version (106k).The larger map
can be printed on legal size (11"x14") paper. Make
sure to adjust the margins before printing.
A .pdf version of the map (453k) can be downloaded by clicking
here. (Adobe Acrobat
reader is necessary to view the .pdf file. Adobe Acrobat can
be downloaded for free from the Adobe web site.)
Beginning in 2002 and running through the end of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial (2006) Fort Union will be hosting a Lewis & Clark special event each year. "This Long Wished For Spot": Lewis & Clark at the Confluence will commemorate the arrival of the Corps of Discovery at the Confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, an important achievement on the voyage west. Fort Union staff and select volunteers will present programs on various aspects of the Corps of Discovery. The first event took place April 27, 2002 and was an overwhelming success. The next event will take place April 29 to May 1, 2005. For more information contact:
Lewis & Clark Coordinator
Fort Union Trading Post NHS
15550 Highway 1804
Williston, ND 58801
(701) 572-9083