The Point of Departure
Camp Riviere du Bois
Madison County, IL

Planted by Princess Lea on April 13, 2006

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were charged by President Thomas Jefferson to find "the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent for the purposes of commerce." The two captains and their Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1803-1804 at Riviere du Bois (French for Wood River) preparing for the journey. Per the State Historic Site's web page:

On Monday, May 14, 1804, the Expedition, under Clark's command, left Camp River Dubois on the east side of the Mississippi River and sailed up the Missouri River, beginning their voyage of discovery. Lewis, in St. Louis making final arrangements, planned to meet the Expedition at St. Charles. In the journals, Lewis designated the mouth of the River Dubois in present-day Illinois as the official "point of departure." Sgt. Ordway also noted in a journal he started at Camp River Dubois: "Monday May the 14th 1804... Capt Clark Set out at 3oClock P.M. for the western expedition. One Gun fired. a nomber of Citizens see us Start."

Box #1 - Lewis & Clark

Find The Journey Begins Here (sign) by the confluence. Proceed to westernmost part of the lawn where a bit sticks out like a tongue. Locate the largest arrowhead shaped rock and look below. This rock is near the edge of the grass and, if I recall correctly, about halfway down the protruding area.

Box #2 - The Corps of Discovery

From the picnic table near the big tree (beyond the flagpoles), go at 120 to fallen logs. The fallen log you want is adjacent to the second tall stump - box is below a rock. From the box, the marker stone is visible, straight to the north.

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer .