Until very recently, historians did not realize that the Corps had first observed the ocean on the north side of the Columbia River as they stood on the sandy shore of the Long Beach Peninsula. Recent research - primarily conducted by Rex Ziak, area resident and author – has revived nationwide interest in this lost page of our past.

The area you are about to explore marks the pinnacle of their trek westward. President Jefferson was eager to find a continuous water passage from St. Louis, Missouri all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Such an inland waterway would have given the new nation an advantage over other countries whose ships had to navigate southern seas in order to reach the resource-rich northwest coast of this continent.

So confident of success was Jefferson that he arranged open letters of credit with consuls along the sea routes on the assumption that returning ships would take all or some of the troops home via their regular routes along Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. But, when the Corps arrived at the Pacific Ocean, it was November and there were no ships to be found in the turbulent winter waters. 

On this website, you will find a description of the 18 days the explorers spent in the area known today as Pacific County, Washington. Faced with oncoming winter, dwindling supplies, deterioriating clothing, lack of salt & meat, the party did not have the luxury to await the return of summer’s calmer seas for the likelihood of ship sightings. They were on their own and their return journey to the comforts of ‘civilization’ was solely dependent on their resourcefulness in creating adequate winter quarters.

Their efforts to survive, their discoveries and the ultimate decision which may well have saved their lives are all recorded in these pages. Discovery awaits!

To commemorate the new Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Park, a special commemorative cancellation was created depicting Captains Lewis and Clark.  Available on a Pacific County Friends of Lewis and Clark envelope with the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial stamp, the cancellation includes the words, "Cape Disappointment Station, Ilwaco, WA 98624, Nov. 12, 2004.  $5.00 [order]

For the Destination: The Pacific Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Signature Event a special cancellation at the Long Beach, Washington Post Office was created to commemorate the Corps of Discovery II--the National Park Service's traveling Lewis and Clark Exhibit.  The envelope features artwork of Discovery Trail and the tree in which William Clark carved his name, 1805, and "by land."  The cancellation date is November 7, 2005.  $5.00 [order]

Click for stamp info or ordering

William Clark drew this map to precisely mark the campsite at the end of the Corps' westward expedition. As you examine this map, you will see dotted lines. These lines mark precise bearings taken with a sextant. You can pinpoint Station Camp and the Chinook village of 36 houses by following the lines to the center of the map. For a larger view, along with interpretive text, click here.

Contemporary maps of the area can be seen on the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau website.

The Pacific and Clatsop County Genealogical Societies have created a special project, 'The Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery Descendant Project' through which to identify both direct and collateral descendants of the Corps members.