Lewis And Clark State Memorial Park Travel Guide

Don't miss the view of the Mississippi River and the Missouri River. There are not many places that you'll have a chance to see 2 great rivers come together. I've always contended that the Mississippi River joins the Missouri and that it's the Missouri River that flows to the gulf. But, I was overtaken by Sieur LaSalle nearly 500 years ago in getting to name the rivers.

1st. Champlain (coming up the St. Lawrence River, Quebec) discovered the lower Great Lakes (Lake Huron, Lake Erie). He then cross the southern divide to the headwaters of the Ohio River, which he was told 'ran to the sea'. So, it should be the Ohio River in New Orleans, not the Mississippi.

2nd. Later, LaSalle (coming through Ontario), discovered the upper Great Lakes (Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. He traveled down Lake Michigan and over the divide to the Mississippi River. He was told the Mississippi River 'ran to the sea'.

3rd. On a return trip, LaSalle followed the Mississippi River south, pass the junction with the Missouri and the Ohio, nearly to the sea. [Therefore, he got the naming rights].

4th, LaVerendrye (coming through Manitoba), was directed to the middle of the Missouri and was told that it 'ran to the sea'. But he never followed it anywhere to determine it's path.

In the end, LaSalle's name stuck to the waterway that splits the U.S. into east and west. Yet, it is the Mississippi-Missouri-Jefferson which is considered the longest river in the U.S. (maybe North America). And it is said that the Missouri adds more water than the upper Mississippi at this point in the river.