A new study by The National Park Service recommends adding parts of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and 11 other states to the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail as early as next year. After apublic comment period,Congress will vote to add up to three segments to the already existing trail running through 11 states and totaling 3,700 miles.
The trail extension study looks at routes in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and the District of Columbia.
The three eligible routes are:
- The Ohio River from Pittsburgh, where Lewis bought his Keelboat and supplies and began navigating the sandbars of the Ohio River, to Louisville.
- The Ohio River from Louisville to its confluence with the Mississippi River (near Cairo, Illinois) where Lewis and Clark met and joined crews.
- The Mississippi River from its confluence with the Ohio River to Wood River, Illinois as they journeyed into new territory and established diplomatic relations.
Lewis and Clark have local ties
By the time Captain Meriwether Lewis arrived in Cincinnati he had a new traveling canine companion, was becoming more proficient at navigating the Ohio River, and had begun recruiting a team to help map the Louisiana Territory.
The explorer, sent out by President Thomas Jefferson, also made a stop at Boone County's Big Bone Lick to gather fossil specimens.
He picked up partner William Clark in Louisville. Clark had fought in the Northwest Indian War in Kentucky at age 19.
