The US purchased the state of Louisiana from France in 1803. The huge part of the land west of the Mississippi River was completely unknown to Americans and needed to be examined ahead of anyone settling there.

President Jefferson decided to send an exploratory expedition west and appointed his own private secretary, Meriwether Lewis as Commander in charge of the expedition. Lewis invited his former superior officer from the Army, William Clark, to be his Co-commander.

Their mission was to explore the unknown territory, establish trade with the natives, affirm the sovereignty of the US in the region and find a waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean.

While still in the Ohio River Valley, Lewis and Clark briefly made camp near where Paducah sits today. In 1827 Clark returned to the region and helped to establish the town of Paducah, Kentucky.

Mike and I visited Paducah to have lunch with our friends who live there. From left: Daryl and Jim Schaefer, Jim & Tom DeCillis (Mike worked with both brothers while at ExxonMobil) and Mike.

Another one of the magnificent wall murals in Paducah. This time depicting an event in 1996 when all three of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company’s boats docked simultaneously at the Port of Paducah where they were enthusiastically welcomed by the Red Coats.

Today, the steamboats still dock in the port and visitors are able to enjoy Paducah’s vibrant arts scene, acclaimed theatre/concert hall and regular festivals.