Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks
Location: Oregon and Washington, USA
Nearest city: Portland, Oregon
Coordinates: 46°8′1″N, 123°52′39″W
Area: 1,114.55 acres (4.51 km²)
Established: May 29, 1958
Visitation: 245,266 (in 2005)
Governing body: National Park Service
Fort Clatsop replica (destroyed by fire in 2005)
Enlarge
Fort Clatsop replica (destroyed by fire in 2005)

Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks, in the vicinity of the mouth of the Columbia River, commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Administration of the parks is a cooperative effort of the National Park Service and the states of Oregon and Washington, and was dedicated on November 12, 2004.

After reaching the Pacific Ocean, the Corps of Discovery camped at Fort Clatsop in the winter of 1805–1806. The parks also preserve several landing sites on the north bank of the river in Washington, and other sites in Oregon.

Contents

[edit] Federal sites

The federal park began as Fort Clatsop National Memorial, authorized on May 29, 1958. The memorial was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. On October 30, 2004, it was redesignated Lewis and Clark National Historical Park with expanded jurisdiction over multiple sites, including:

  • Clark's Dismal Nitch
  • Fort Clatsop
  • Fort to Sea Trail (dedicated on November 14, 2005)
  • Memorial to Thomas Jefferson
  • Netul Landing
  • Salt Works
  • Station Camp

[edit] Oregon state parks

[edit] Ecola State Park

Ecola was the site of the Corps of Discovery's 1806 trek over difficult terrain to see a beached whale.

[edit] Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens, with its 3,700 acre park, offers exploration of history, nature, and recreational opportunities. The fort was the primary military defense installation in the three fort Harbor Defense System at the mouth of the Columbia River (Fort Canby and Fort Columbia were other two).

[edit] Sunset Beach State Recreation Area

Sunset Beach is the terminus of the Fort To Sea Trail, which begins in Fort Clatsop. Sunset Beach also provides visitors with direct access to the Pacific Ocean with expansive views from Cape Disappointment to the north and Ecola State Park to the South.

[edit] Washington state parks

[edit] Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment, formerly known as Fort Canby State Park, is a 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean. The park offers 27 miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails. The Cape Disappointment Historic District was listed on the National Register on August 15, 1975.

[edit] Fort Columbia State Park

Fort Columbia is an old coastal artillery post along the north side of the Columbia river outlet. At 593 acres, the park includes an interpretive center focused on regional history.

[edit] References

  • The National Parks: Index 2001-2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.
  • House Resolution 3819 (introduced February 24, 2004) and Public Law No: 108-387

[edit] External links