Mouth of the Ohio

The confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi—one of the largest in the world—is a world-wide travel destination. For those following the Lewis and Clark Trail, the expedition camped here for several days.

Fort Defiance State Park has picnic facilities and a concrete observation building. It also the southern—most point and lowest elevation in Illinois. Cairo’s Custom House and Historic Park District are nearby.

During the Civil War, Mound City was bustling. Its shipyards were used to layout three Union ironclad gunboats including the “City Class” Cairo. (Today, the Cairo is at the Vicksburg National Military Park.) In 1861, Civil War Hospital was built and after the Battle of Shiloh, it treated 2,200 Union and Confederate soldiers. In 1864, the Mound City National Cemetery was opened.

The site has an interpretive sign and is a favorite local fishing spot.

When the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed here in November 1803, Meriwether Lewis noted a great chain of rocks:

“[P]assed Wilkinson ville about 12 Oclock oposite to which is the first or great chain of rocks streching in an oblique manner across the Oho”
—Meriwether Lewis (November 14, 1803)

The river hazards of Lewis’s “chain of rocks” have been mitigated by the Olmstead Locks and Dam consisting of “two 110′ x 1,200′ locks adjacent to the Illinois bank, and a dam comprised of five tainter gates, 1,400′ of boat-operated wickets and a fixed weir.”
(https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Mission/Projects/Article/3638713/olmsted-locks-and-dam/)

The Ohio River Scenic Byway passes through the hamlet of Joppa, Illinois. In the early 19th century, it was a riverboat stop called Copeland’s Landing. Today, the landing has been replaced with a boat launch. Should you need a stop, the town’s Robinett Park is on the Byway.

Overlooking the mighty Ohio River, Fort Massac State Park has been preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois’ first state park. Centuries of relics from local Native American tribes and European settlers are preserved and exhibited in the Fort’s Museum and Visitor’s Center, which accompanies the replica 1802 American Fort present at the park.

In 1803, the Lewis and Clark expedition stopped at Fort Massac to recruit personnel for their trip. For more on Fort Massac and the expedition personnel obtained there, see on our educational website Fort Massac.

Located on the lawn of the National Quilt Museum, this sculpture features five bronze figures: Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, a generic Indian man and girl, and Clark’s big explorer dog Seaman. Both the sculpture and the National Quilt Museum are a highlight along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Visitors can learn about the archaeological site of a pre-historic Native American village or visit the museum and view exhibits of pottery, stone tools, artifacts and park history. The Welcome Center also has a trail map for nearby hiking and information on birding, with the site being hosting several bird species, especially during summer.

Fort Jefferson—named for Thomas Jefferson—was established by William Clark’s older brother, George Rogers Clark, in 1780. On November 18, 1803, the captains visited:

“Set out early this morning with a canoe and eight men in company with Capt. Clark to visit and view the ground on which Oald Fort Jefferson stood;”
—Meriwether Lewis

Today, one can read the interpretive signs and view of the Mississippi-Ohio river traffic.