The site of Fort Osage sits on a 70-foot-high bluff overlooking a bend in the Missouri River. Captain William Clark noted this remarkable natural location on the Missouri River in his journal: “A high commanding position, more than 70 feet above high water mark, and overlooking the river which is here of but little width; this spot has many advantages for a fort, and trading house with the Indians."

In 1808, after the completion of the expedition, Clark returned and constructed Fort Osage as both a military outpost and trading factory for the newly-formed Missouri Territory. The fort's goal was to provide a military presence along the frontier, while maintaining political stability through economic and military alliances with the American Indian tribes in the territory.  The most notable of these groups were the Osage or Wabasha.

The current Fort Osage is a replica of the original fort, which was decommissioned in 1827. Reconstruction of the fort, began in 1941 by the Jackson County Court and the Native Sons of Kansas. It was through their diligence and research that they reconstructed Blockhouse No.1 and officially dedicated it in 1946. In 1961, the site earned the National Historic Landmark designation and reconstruction was completed in the 1960s.  In 2007, the Fort Osage Educational Center opened with permanent interactive exhibitions on American Indians, Lewis and Clark, and the fort. The Center provides an extensive array of living history interpretation, tours, visiting exhibitions, and archaeological activities.

Call (816) 650-5737/3278 or visit http://www.jacksongov.org/fortosage/for more information concerning operating hours, fees, directions, etc.

Credits and Sources:

Content for this Next Exit History site sponsored by the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. For more information visit http://lewisandclark.org/.

Allen, Paul. History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark. New York/Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1814.

Ambrose, Stephen E. Undaunted Courage; Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West.New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbooks, 1996.

Fort Osage National Historic Landmark. “About.”  Accessed May 22, 2014.  http://www.fortosagenhs.com

Jackson County Missouri. JacksonCounty, Parks and Rec., Ft. Osage National Historic    Landmark. 2008.  Accessed May 17, 2014.  http://www.jacksongov.org/parks/ftosage/.

Lewis, Meriwether, and Et Al. The Journals of Lewis and Clark 1804-1806. Project Gutenberg,    2013.

Lighton, William R. Lewis and Clark; Meriwether Lewis and WIlliam Clark. Boston/New York:   Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1905.