On Friday, Nov. 6, 1818, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and his friend, Levi Pettibone, left the small mining village of Potosi and embarked on a journey across the Ozarks.
While Schoolcraft and Pettibone were not the first white settlers to journey into the interior of the Ozarks, Schoolcraft was the first person to write in detail about his journey. Schoolcraft’s journal gives the modern reader a glimpse back in time to what the Ozarks landscape was like 200 years ago.
Thirteen Missouri school teachers will walk June 24-26 in the footsteps of early Ozarks explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft in a program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Teachers, along with MDC staff, will explore unique Ozark natural features and habitats while they retrace Schoolcraft’s route through the middle Ozarks. By studying Schoolcraft’s journal, teachers will compare the pre-settlement Ozarks of 200 years ago with the natural features and communities found today.
On his journey in 1818 Schoolcraft’s route took him south of the Montauk springs to Ashley Creek cave. From the cave, Schoolcraft traveled south of present day Licking and crossed Big Piney river north of Houston. After camping along Little Piney near present day Dog’s Bluff access, Schoolcraft continued up Little Piney and then traveled south to the headwaters of the North Fork river. While traveling through present day Dent and Texas counties, Schoolcraft encountered wolves, elk and black bears.
On June 25 the group will be visiting sites in the Houston area including: the Narrows Natural Area, the Maury and Linda James farm and the Amy and Rex Hamilton farm near Elk Creek.
Those wishing to learn more about this educational opportunity may contact workshop leader Brian D. Flowers at 573-882-8388, ext. 288, or brian.flowers@mdc.mo.gov.