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

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 mi (straight line)

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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 mi (straight line)

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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 mi (straight line)

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 mi (straight line)

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Rustik Sand Kandles

Rustik Sand Kandles

Rustik Sand Kandles, LLC, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 mi (straight line)

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Pat’s Pastries

Pat’s Pastries

Pat’s Pastries, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 mi (straight line)

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 mi (straight line)

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Belle Ever After

Belle Ever After

Belle Ever After Boutique, South Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.06 mi (straight line)

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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 mi (straight line)

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Sirros

Sirros

Sirros, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 mi (straight line)

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Ralston Fine Jewelry

Ralston Fine Jewelry

Ralston Fine Jewelry, Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 mi (straight line)

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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 mi (straight line)

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Hotel Audubon

Hotel Audubon

The Audubon's: Hotel & Restaurant, North Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.07 mi (straight line)

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Centre for French Colonial Life

Centre for French Colonial Life

The Centre for French Colonial Life & the Bolduc House Museum, Market Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Show-Me Shop

Show-Me Shop

Show-Me Shop, South Main Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Rosemary and Thyme Cooking School

Rosemary and Thyme Cooking School

Rosemary Thyme Cooking School, South Main Street Sainte, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Jean Baptiste Valle House

Jean Baptiste Valle House

Jean Baptiste Valle House, Ste. Genevieve, MO, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Common Grounds Coffee House

Common Grounds Coffee House

10 3rd Street, Sainte Genevieve, Missouri 63670, USA
Distance: 0.08 mi (straight line)

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Interested in re-tracing Lewis’ steps to prep fo

Interested in re-tracing Lewis’ steps to prep for the expedition?

Walk in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis as he bought supplies for the expedition in 1803. At the same time, experience the birth of the United States at key places in the Independence National Historic Park.

The trip by foot is 2 miles long.

Stop 1 - The Independence Visitor Center provides a great starting point for visiting the Independence National Historic Park. You will find knowledgeable rangers, ticket sales, historic films, and interactive exhibits.
https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/IndependenceVisitorCenter

Stop 2 - Located at 526 Market Street the Liberty Bell Center has free admission on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to the historic Liberty Bell, the site has exhibits, but no public restrooms.
https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/libertybellcenter.htm

Stop 3 - Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Tickets are required during prime hours.
GPS: 520 Chestnut Street
https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm

Stop 4 - The American Philosophical Society archives hold many of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s original journals, Nicholas Biddle’s notes on queries, Titian Peale’s sketches of expedition bird specimens, and other related documents such as the Donation Book . Public exhibits generally change annually, and the site hosts several events open to the public. https://www.amphilsoc.org/
Philosophical Hall
104 South Fifth Street

Stop 5 - Second Bank of the United States houses over 150 portraits—many by Charles Willson Peale—of early American political leaders including the original portraits of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

Note: The gallery will not re-open until at least February 2025.
https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-secondbank.htm
Located on 420 Chestnut Street between 4th and 5th Street

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/inspiration/philadelphia-walking-tour/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pennsylvania #philadelphia

Site of the Week: The Lewis and Clark Visitor’s

Site of the Week: The Lewis and Clark Visitor’s Center at Gavins Point Dam

By August of 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition had entered the land of the Yankton Sioux, a powerful tribe on the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark were tasked with notifying them that the United States now had a claim over their land. So, on August 29, the expedition met with the tribe at a site called Calumet Bluff where Lewis gave his routine speech and the customary gifts were handed out.

Today, the Lewis and Clark Visitor’s Center at Gavins Point Dam sits on Calumet Bluff, overlooking the nearly two-mile-long Gavins Point Dam. The dam was originally planned to be built further upstream at Gavins Point,the place from which the dam gets its name. However, even though it was constructed at a different site (which resulted in the formation of Lewis and Clark Lake), the dam maintained its original name throughout the project.

The visitor’s center, which is operated by the Army Corp of Engineers, has exhibits pertaining to the wildlife and rich history of the area. Information regarding recreation on Lewis and Clark Lake is also available, as well as a gift shop and bookstore. There is a viewing deck on the back of the visitor’s center which allows visitors to view the Gavins Point Dam.

https://www.nps.gov/places/lewis-clark-visitor-center-at-gavins-point-dam-nebraska.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #nebraska

Site of the Week: Sergeant Floyd Monument The Lew

Site of the Week: Sergeant Floyd Monument

The Lewis and Clark Expedition is known for having lost only one man, something of a miracle when it comes to such a lengthy and treacherous adventure. Sadly, the majority of people do not know the name of this man as he died rather early on in the Expedition. Fortunately, there is a monument dedicated to his burial in Sioux City, Iowa.

On July 31, 1804, Sergeant Charles Floyd, one of the original “Nine Young Men from Kentucky,” wrote in his journal that he was “verry sick and {had} ben for Sometime.” He recovered somewhat before suddenly taking a turn for the worse. Captain Lewis administered to him as he was the Expedition’s doctor, but it was no use. On August 20th, the young man passed away at the age of 22. It is widely believed that Floyd died from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. If this truly was the case, there would have been nothing that Lewis could have done to save him.

Today, the Sergeant Floyd Monument stands on a cliff overlooking I-29, a tall obelisk surrounded by iron fencing for protection. There is a parking lot and informational signs concerning the Expedition and the last days of Floyd’s life. When standing at the base of the monument, one can look out over the mighty Missouri River. Despite the rumbling of the cars racing by below, the site possesses a solemn tranquility, especially when visited in the evening as the sun is fading in the west. A sun that young Charles Floyd was unable to pursue with his fellow explorers.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #Iowa #siouxcityiowa

Lewis and Clark spent the winter close to the Clat

Lewis and Clark spent the winter close to the Clatsop Village that was located on the site of Fort Stevens State Park - located at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon on Point Adams.

When Europeans first arrived in the area, it was the site of a large Clatsop settlement, and William Clark noted eight large houses on the site when they sailed past in 1805. The name of the landmark itself was coined on May 18, 1792, when Captain Robert Gray, a merchant mariner, sailed into the mouth of the Columbia River. He chose the name in honor of the then president of the United States, John Adams.

Point Adams later became part of Fort Stevens, a Civil War-era military fort established in 1863. The original earthen fort was built to keep British and Confederate gunboats from entering the mouth of the Columbia River. It was named after Union Army General Isaac I. Stevens, who also served as the first territorial governor of Washington state.

After World War II, Fort Stevens was considered obsolete, and it was turned over to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for use as a headquarters in 1947. Then, in 1975, the site was officially designed as a state park after being leased to Oregon State Parks.

Today, visitors can visit the historic Fort Stevens and Point Adams visitor center and museum, take tours through the old earthen fort and artillery gun batteries, or take advantage of all the wildlife opportunities like fishing.

There are several camping options available as well. All campsites are ADA accessible and come equipped with a picnic table and grill. Yurts and cabins are also available for rent. Restrooms, showers, a playground, and a dump station are on site.

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/fort-stevens-state-park/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #Oregon #fortstevensstatepark

Happy New Year, Everyone! January 1, 1806 “A n

Happy New Year, Everyone!

January 1, 1806

“A new year at Fort Clatsop

To bring in the new year at Fort Clatsop, the enlisted men fire a volley to awaken the captains. Lewis resumes writing his journal and imagines New Year’s Day in 1807 when everyone will be home. Clark inventories ship captains that visit the area, and Sgt. Gass is surprised by the number of active insects this time of year.

‘…our repast of this day tho’ better than that of Christmass, consisted principally in the anticipation of the 1st day of January 1807, when in the bosom of our friends we hope to participate in the mirth and hilarity of the day, and when the zest given by the recollection of the present, we shall completely, both mentally and corporally, enjoy the repast which the hand of civilization has prepared for us.’
—Meriwether Lewis”

https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/1-jan-1806/

Photo Credit: "Snow on Fort Clatsop by Robert Potts"