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Article: The Indispensable Nexus : Pennsylvania's Contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Article from:
- The World and I
- Article date:
- October 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition is renowned as "one of our nation's grandest journeys of exploration." It is commonly believed to be a singularly western event. Less popularly known is the fact that Pennsylvania figured significantly on several levels in the conception, preparation, staffing, and ultimate success of the venture. In fact, one can argue that Pennsylvania played a keystone role and that the Ohio River at Pittsburgh should be considered the expedition's actual point of departure.
Most accounts begin with the Corps of Discovery's embarkation from Camp Dubois at Wood River on the Missouri in May 1804. The expedition's mission was to explore "uncharted ...