Arrival at the Platte River
On July 21, 1804, the expedition reached the mouth of the Platte River, a major landmark marking the transition from the lower to the upper Missouri and the gateway to the Great Plains. Clark observed that the Platte was roughly 600 yards wide but very shallow, with a current so swift it pushed against the opposite bank of the Missouri. The party had now entered the territory of the Otoe, Pawnee, and other Plains nations, setting the stage for their first formal council with Native peoples.
Reaching the Platte River was a significant milestone. In the geography of the Missouri fur trade, the Platte marked the boundary between the “lower” and “upper” Missouri — essentially the gateway to the Great Plains.
“At 4 oClock we came too at the mouth of the Great River Platt — this Great river being much more rapid than the Missourie forces its Current against the opposite Shore.”
Clark noted the river was about 600 yards wide but very shallow. The expedition was now in the territory of the Otoe, Pawnee, and other Plains nations. They would soon hold their first formal council with Native peoples.
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Reaching the Platte River was a significant milestone. In the geography of the Missouri fur trade, the Platte marked the boundary between the "lower" and "upper" Missouri — essentially the gateway to the Great Plains.
"At 4 o'clock we came to at the mouth of the Great River Platte — this great river, being much more rapid than the Missouri, forces its current against the opposite shore."
Clark noted the river was about 600 yards wide but very shallow. The expedition was now in the territory of the Otoe, Pawnee, and other Plains nations. They would soon hold their first formal council with Native peoples.
This modernization is AI-generated for accessibility. The original above is the authoritative version.
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