Explorers
Explorers, Fur Traders in the Missouri Valley Region
Map showing major explorers'
routes across the United States
Lewis and Clark were among the earliest explorers that ventured through the Missouri Valley. When the bicentennial approached in 2004, the staff in the Missouri Valley Room explored the stacks and were surprised to discover one of the most comprehensive collections in the Kansas City region relating to Lewis and Clark. These primary and secondary documents cover all aspects of the 1804-1806 Corps of Discovery.
The Missouri Valley Room, though, also has strong collections about many other explorers and fur traders, like John Charles Frémont, James Bridger, the Chouteaus, Jedediah Smith, and Zebulon Pike. We hope to include more about these in the future.
Overview of the Lewis and Clark Collection
Literature of the Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804-1806: Holdings of the Kansas City Public Library Missouri Valley Room Special Collections provides an overview of the collection with particular focus on the primary sources.
Bibliography of Lewis and Clark Materials (pdf)
"Resources Related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806" is an extensive bibliography of items at the Kansas City Public Library.
Lewis and Clark on the Internet
A list of Web sites featuring Lewis and Clark.
