With the exception of the
nation's bicentennial celebration in 1976, there has
perhaps been no other historical anniversary that received
as much attention and publicity as the bicentennial of
Lewis and Clark's famous expedition into the unknown
American West. The voyage was as much a symbol of the
American spirit as it was a journey of exploration. As the
Corps of Discovery made its way westward along the Missouri
River in search of an all-water route to the Pacific Ocean,
they mapped the river, meticulously recorded encounters
with animals and wildlife, overcame obstacles of all sorts
and made allies and enemies of numerous tribes of Native
Americans.
The Lewis and Clark celebration was nothing unique to
Missouri, but Missouri did receive the lion's share of
attention, as it was from St. Charles that the group
officially got underway, and it was in St. Louis that they
parted company two years later. Two years prior to the 2004
celebration, Show-Me Missouri travel
specialist Kristen Lokemoen began an 11-part series
detailing the Corps of Discovery's fantastic two-year
voyage to and from the Pacific shores of the newly-expanded
nation.
Missouri artist Gary Lucy, whose works focus on the
historical roles of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers,
chronicled key aspects of the journey on canvas. Many of
his works, such as the one above, were used to illustrate
the articles that appeared in Show-Me
Missouri. More of Lucy's works can be seen at
www.garylucy.com.
In addition, Lucy also wrote an informative essay about the
research that went into his interpretation of the flag
flown by the Corps of Discovery. That essay can be found
here.
