The project centers on two contemporaneous expeditions—the Dunbar–Hunter “Grand Expedition” (1804–1805) and the Freeman–Custis “Red River Expedition” (1806)—which played important roles in the early exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and shaped the development of the Louisiana Purchase and the American Southwest.
The Dunbar-Hunter Expedition was the first U.S. government-funded expedition to the Louisiana Purchase to return. This gave Thomas Jefferson and other federal officials in Washington their first direct knowledge of the people, places, and natural resources that the United States had acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
The Freeman-Custis Expedition demonstrated that the ill-defined border between Spanish Texas and American claims in Louisiana was a major diplomatic problem that needed resolution. This resolution did not come until the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty, which defined most of the current border between Texas and Oklahoma and brought Florida into the United States.
The goal of the Louisiana Purchase Exploration Trails (the “Project”) is to develop a digital-first trail connecting visitors to the landscapes and stories of these expeditions by presenting the stories of the route in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-travel regional loop. The Project would complement and enhance pre-existing tourist stops by linking them with one another and to the broader historical and environmental narratives associated with these expeditions.
Particular emphasis would be placed on those sites along the route that provide a connection to landscapes, waterways, and history of the early nineteenth century. Sites of particular interest include paddling routes, hiking/cycling trails, significant vistas and overlooks, and sites providing historic interpretation.
The Project would primarily target two distinct users’ groups:
- Older travelers interested in history and road trips
- Travelers interested in outdoor adventures and active lifestyles, particularly paddling sports.
This website serves as a working proof of concept and research platform as the project develops.
This project is currently in an exploratory and research phase. Locations, routes, and interpretive themes are subject to refinement as additional sources and partnerships are identified.