Cover Page

Contents

Introduction

Colonial Period

Revolution

Early Republic

War Between the States

Recent Era

District of Columbia

Historic Projects

Special Feature: Site of old Grinder's Inn on the Natchez Trace where Meriwether Lewis is buried.

MERIWETHER LEWIS NATIONAL MONUMENT commemorates the achievements of that accomplished soldier and scientist who led the first expedition through the unknown gateways of the Rockies to the Pacific; and who fostered interest in the West at a time when little was known about it. It also marks the place of his death and burial.

Shortly after the purchase of Louisiana, President Jefferson sent out an expedition under Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Lt. William Clark to explore the western country as far as the Pacific. Starting from St. Louis in the spring of 1804, the party followed the course of the Missouri and went into winter quarters at Fort Mandan near what is now Bismarck, N. Dak. In the spring they again proceeded westward and by the end of the summer had crossed the Rocky Mountains. They reached the plains beyond in the fall and spent the following winter on the Pacific near the mouth of the Columbia. The next spring they ascended that river and recrossed the Great Divide, exploring the Yellowstone and other tributaries of the Missouri. They returned to St. Louis in September 1806.

On his return, Lewis was appointed Governor of the Louisiana Territory. In the fall of 1809, while serving in that capacity, it became necessary for him to make a trip to Washington. Proceeding along the Natchez Trace in middle Tennessee, he arrived on October 11 at Grinder's Inn and arranged to spend the night there. The taverns along this trail were lonely places, often controlled by ruffians. This was probably the state of affairs at Grinder's Inn. On the morning of October 12, Lewis was found shot dead. Whether he was murdered or committed suicide probably always will remain unknown.

In 1848 the State of Tennessee, in recognition of Lewis' achievements, erected a monument at his grave, which is located about 250 yards from the site of the inn. This monument, a broken shaft of Tennessee marble, is 20-1/2 feet high. It was designed to symbolize the tragic ending of the career of Lewis.

By Executive order dated February 6, 1925, an area around the shaft, comprising 300 acres, was declared a national monument and placed under the supervision of the War Department. Eight years later it was made a unit in the system of national monuments administered by the Department of the Interior. Recently the Government has erected near the site of Grinder's Inn a rustic log building, representative of the "stands" of the pioneer period.

NEXT> Camp Blount Tablets National Memorial

Last Modified: Thurs, Nov 23 2000 10:00:00 pm PDT
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/glimpses3/glimpses3a.htm