Front page of account of Major Zebulon M. Pike's exploration
Date: 1807-1810
The beginning page of the report submitted by Major Zebulon M. Pike of his exploration of the western United States submitted to Congress and published in 1810. Zebulon Pike was an army lieutenant sent by the U.S. government to explore the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1806. Upon his return, Pike prepared a report to the U.S. government in which he described the Plains as the "Great American Desert."

Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike
Date: 1807-1810
This illustration of Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike is taken from an account of his military expedition from western Louisiana to the interior parts of New Spain conducted between 1806 and 1807. Zebulon Pike was an army lieutenant sent by the U.S. government to explore the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1806. Upon his return, Pike prepared a report to the U.S. government in which he described the Plains as the "Great American Desert."

Meriwether Lewis
This is a portrait of Meriwether Lewis, 1774-1809 as painted by C. W. Peale. Lewis traveled with William Clark on the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) to explore the source of the Missouri River to determine a navigable course across the Pacific Northwest. Their journey would take them through what is now Kansas City and westward across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River.

Route of Coronado between the Rio Grande and Missouri rivers
Creator: Root, George A. (George Allen), 1867-1949
Date: 1912
This map shows the route of Coronado between the Rio Grande and Missouri rivers.

Stephen Harriman Long
Creator: Peale, Charles Willson, 1741-1827
Date: Between 1810 and 1830
This is a painting of Stephen Harriman Long, 1784-1864, by Charles Willson Peale. Long lead an expedition into the territory west of the Missouri River in 1819 and 1820. Under orders from John C. Calhoun, secretary of war, Long was to acquire thorough and accurate information on the soil, geography, water courses, animals, vegetation, and minerals in the new territory.

William Clark
Date: Unknown
This is a portrait of explorer William Clark, 1770-1838, who traveled with Meriwether Lewis on the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) to explore the source of the Missouri River to determine a navigable course across the Pacific Northwest. Their journey would take them through what is now Kansas City and westward across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River.