July 17th This Day in Missouri

On July 17, the following notable historical events related to Missouri have been recorded:

• 1804: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, navigating the Missouri River, was near present-day Otoe County, Nebraska, across from Missouri’s Atchison County, on or around July 17. They documented the region’s geography and encounters with Native American tribes, advancing their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase.
• 1831: The steamboat Yellowstone made its first significant trip up the Missouri River around July 17, reaching Fort Tecumseh (near present-day Pierre, South Dakota). This journey, starting from St. Louis, marked a milestone in Missouri’s role as a hub for river-based trade and exploration.
• 1861: During the Civil War, Missouri was a battleground. On July 17, Union forces under General Nathaniel Lyon clashed with Confederate sympathizers in a skirmish near Fulton in Callaway County, part of efforts to maintain control over central Missouri.
• 1894: The St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railway completed a key expansion through southeast Missouri around July 17, improving transportation and economic connections to rural areas like Cape Girardeau.
• 1904: The St. Louis World’s Fair, or Louisiana Purchase Exposition, was ongoing, with July 17 featuring international art exhibitions and cultural performances, reinforcing Missouri’s global prominence.