Fort Jeffersonânamed for Thomas Jeffersonâwas established by William Clarkâs older brother, George Rogers Clark, in 1780. Due to illnesses that prevailed in the area, lack of settlers, and the need for troops in other places, it was abandoned sometime around 1781. While camped at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Fort Defiance, near today’s Cairo, Illinois, Captains Clark and Lewis took a canoe and eight men and paddled south to visit the site on November 18, 1803:
“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;”
âMeriwether Lewis“I was at old fort Jefferson, it is entirly grown up with Treesâ”
âWilliam Clark
Today, one can read the interpretive signs and enjoy the view of the Mississippi-Ohio river traffic.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Green Street, Wickliffe, KY, USA
Distance: 0.99 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Walks and Hikes Tribal Experiences
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Fort Defiance State Park, U.S. 62, Cairo, IL, USA
Distance: 3.49 mi (straight line)
Cairo Custom House Museum, Washington Avenue, Cairo, IL, USA
Distance: 5.42 mi (straight line)
LC Features Museums and Interpretive Centers
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2723 Washington Ave, Cairo, IL 62914, USA
Distance: 6.18 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Other Guided Tours
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1903 Sycamore St, Cairo, IL 62914, USA
Distance: 6.80 mi (straight line)
Mound City National Cemetery, Illinois 37, Mound City, IL, USA
Distance: 10.16 mi (straight line)
Columbus Belmont State Park, Park Road, Columbus, KY, USA
Distance: 13.20 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Outdoor Experiences RV and Camping Walks and Hikes Fun and Sports
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18615 East Side Dr, Olive Branch, IL 62969, USA
Distance: 16.58 mi (straight line)
110 S Church Rd, Grand Chain, IL 62941, USA
Distance: 20.78 mi (straight line)
Tunnel Hill State Trail, Karnak, IL, USA
Distance: 24.31 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes
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Misty Pond Alpaca and Maremmas, Lebanon Church Road, Paducah, KY, USA
Distance: 24.42 mi (straight line)
Fort Massac State Park, East 5th Street, Metropolis, IL, USA
Distance: 24.68 mi (straight line)
Beggs Family Farm, State Highway U, Sikeston, MO, USA
Distance: 24.95 mi (straight line)
Thebes Courthouse, Oak Street, Thebes, IL, USA
Distance: 27.20 mi (straight line)
135 Riverview Dr, Thebes, IL 62990, USA
Distance: 27.51 mi (straight line)
General History Guided Tours Viewpoints
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1310 Broadway Street, Paducah, KY, USA
Distance: 27.88 mi (straight line)
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