LEWIS AND CLARK 4TH OF JULY CREEK
N 39° 37.245 W 095° 05.660
15S E 320235 N 4387761
INDEPENDENCE OR 4TH OF JULY CREEK,KANSAS
Waymark Code: WMYVF
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 11/17/2006
Published By:
RB2
Views: 36
On July 4, 1804, the Corps of Discovery observed the first Independence Day in the West at present-day Atchison by firing keelboat’s cannon, drinking extra ration of whiskey, and naming a creek and named it Independence Creek, which they camped near. Today, Atchison is notable for its impressive Victorian homes and as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart.
Later, the party passed an oxbow lake that Clark described as a mile wide and 7-8 miles long, with brilliantly clear water and numerous young geese. Called "Gosling Lake" by Clark, this was likely the lake at Lewis and Clark State Park.
The Corps members began describing the numerous beaver that would later fuel future fur trading commerce. Lewis' dog, Seaman, was skilled at chasing beavers from their lodges.
Journal entries that day describe extensive and beautiful prairies covering the floodplains and adjacent hills. They named Fourth of July Creek and Independence Creek. The latter still bears that name as it flows into the Missouri, just north of Atchison, Kansas.
The party celebrated Independence Day that evening with another cannon salute and an extra gill of whiskey.
Heat and a treacherous, meandering river slowed travel the next week. The expedition passed St. Michael's Prairie at present day St. Joseph on July 7 and did not reach Big Lake until July 11. Along the way, they frequently reported tremendous numbers of wildlife associated with the abundant wetlands.
"Must Sees"at this location":
ATCHISON,FT LEAVENWORTH,WHITE CLOUD AND THE INITIAL POINT OF KANSAS AND NEBRASKA SURVEY.SIGNATURE DISK.
Date Waymark Created: 11/17/2006
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