Discover the story behind America’s westward expansion and the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland. This book traces how early exploration and settlement opened the Pacific Northwest and shaped national ambitions, culminating in a landmark celebration on the Pacific coast.
From Gray’s Pacific discoveries to Jefferson’s overland vision, the text sketches how exploration, nation-building, and regional growth intertwined. It explains the stakes of securing a foothold on the Pacific and the drive to invite the world to Portland for a grand, nationwide event in 1905.
The material highlights the people, places, and events that defined the westward journey, and it connects historical milestones to the broader expansion of the United States.
- How early explorers helped map the Pacific Northwest and confirm the Columbia River's course
- The role of major figures in American expansion and federal recognition
- Growth of Oregon and surrounding western states from 1850 to 1903
Ideal for readers of American history and those curious about the origins of the Pacific coast’s national celebration.