Felix Valle State Historic Site - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

April through October (on-season) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., daily Tours offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. November through March (off-season) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday Tours offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Closed Monday through Wednesday

(573) 883-7102

$6 adults/$4 K-12

No pets allowed

lat: 37.9799083 long: -90.0444372

The Felix Vallé House, built in 1818, was designed as a combination mercantile store and residence for its original owner, Jacob Philipson, a Philadelphia merchant. Built of native limestone, its Federal-style architecture demonstrates the American influence on the community in the decades following the Louisiana Purchase. The home was sold to the prominent Vallé family of Ste. Genevieve in 1824 and served as a location for the trading firm of Menard & Vallé, as well as the residence of Felix and Odile Vallé. Holding firmly to their French traditions, including language and religion, the Vallé’s embraced “modern” features of life, including an American-style home and American goods brought by steamboat.

There are three houses for you to visit at the site. The Felix Valle house, the vertical log 1792 Amoureux House, and the 1819 Shaw House. Each of these homes offers a unique look at the time period.

Felix Valle diorama view

Felix Valle diorama view

Felix Valle interior view

Felix Valle interior view

Felix Valle bedroom

Felix Valle bedroom

Felix Valle rear view

Felix Valle rear view

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Harold’s Famous Bee Co. Retail Store + Honey Bar

Harold’s Famous Bee Co. Retail Store + Honey Bar

Harold's Famous Bee Co., Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.03 Away

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First Settlement Country Store and Antiques

First Settlement Country Store and Antiques

132 Merchant Street, Sainte Genevieve, MO 63670, USA
Distance: 0.05 Away

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Brix Urban Winery and Market – Locally made Mead and Wine

Brix Urban Winery and Market – Locally made Mead and Wine

Brix Urban Winery & Market, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.05 Away

Food and Drinks Shopping

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Sara’s Ice Cream

Sara’s Ice Cream

Sara's Ice Cream, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.05 Away

Food and Drinks

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Rustik Sand Kandles

Rustik Sand Kandles

Rustik Sand Kandles, LLC, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 Away

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Pat’s Pastries

Pat’s Pastries

Pat’s Pastries, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 Away

Bakeries Coffee Houses Food and Drinks

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Quintessential Rivertown Spice and Tea

Quintessential Rivertown Spice and Tea

Quintessential Rivertown Spice & Tea, Market Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 Away

Food and Drinks

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Belle Ever After

Belle Ever After

Belle Ever After Boutique, South Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 Away

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Louie’s Smokin’ Hot

Louie’s Smokin’ Hot

Louie's Smokin' Hot, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 Away

Food and Drinks Shopping

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Sirros

Sirros

Sirros, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 Away

Food and Drinks

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Ralston Fine Jewelry

Ralston Fine Jewelry

Ralston Fine Jewelry, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 Away

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Audubon’s Grill and Bar

Audubon’s Grill and Bar

9 North Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 Away

Food and Drinks

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Site of the Week: Falls of the Ohio State Park St

Site of the Week: Falls of the Ohio State Park

St. Louis is often recognized as the starting place of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. However, others would argue that the Expedition began further east where Lewis and Clark met to begin traveling together. Today, this site is the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

In 1803, Meriwether Lewis brought the keelboat down the Ohio River to meet Clark in Louisville. While Lewis had been overseeing the building of said keelboat, Clarj had been busily recruiting local men by way of a strict interview process. Once Lewis arrived with his two men and joined them with Clark’s seven men in Louisville, these first men of the Expedition became known as “the Nine Young Men from Kentucky.” These were William Bratton, John Colter, Joseph and Reuben Field, George Shannon, John Shields, Nathaniel Pryor, George Gibson, and Charles Floyd.

While the Falls of the Ohio are no longer visible, the fossil beds are still very prominent. These Devonian fossil beds are famously recognized as being one of the largest exposed fossil beds in the world. There is a museum on site which tells the history of these fossils, as well as the evolution of the area’s wildlife. The museum also provides information about Lewis and Clark’s time at the Falls and the complicated relationships between the incoming settlers and the local native tribes. The museum was recently renovated and has significantly expanded its exhibits.

Photos credited to Mitchell Pence and the Department of Natural Resources

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #fallsoftheohiostatepark #ohioriver

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)