WELCOME TO THE FALLS OF THE OHIO
STATE PARK/
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
& LEWIS AND CLARK STATUE IN CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA
Located on the
banks of the Ohio River, Falls Park features a
386-million-year-old fossil bed (among the largest naturally
exposed Devonian fossil beds in the world). A spectacular
interpretive center overlooks the fossil beds containing an
exhibit gallery and video presentation.
Fishing, hiking, fossil
viewing, bird watching, and picnicking are among the most
common activities.
While fossil collecting
is prohibited, the park staff encourages visitors to explore
and discover the many different types of fossils that can be
found on the ancient sea bottom.
The months of August thru October provide the best
accessibility to the 220 acres of fossil beds, as the river
is at its lowest level during this period.
WHEN THEY
SHOOK HANDS -
The statue of Lewis and Clark
was dedicated to the memory of Stephen E. Ambrose on October
26, 2003, during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in
Clarksville, Indiana. Its temporary home was at the
Southern Indiana Visitors Center.
One year later (2004) Lewis
and Clark overlook the Falls of the Ohio at their permanent
home, the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Mounted on a
16 1/2 ton native slab of Jeffersonville limestone that is
between 350-400 million years in age, the statue reminds
visitors of the significant part Indiana and the young men
of this region played in the epic journey known as the Lewis
and Clark Expedition.
The story of the
Lewis and Clark Statue: History lives in Bronze
Stephen E. Ambrose, historian and author of the
best-selling book, Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West
,wrote on
page 117 of his acclaimed work:
"When they shook hands,
the Lewis and Clark Expedition began." He was referring
to the events that took place at the Falls of the Ohio.
Ambrose's deep booming voice echoed in the minds of
Elmer Hoehn and Phyllis Yeager. Elmer's vision was to
have a recorded history of the Bicentennial reflecting
the Falls of the Ohio as the departure site of the
Expedition. They dreamed of having a statue bringing
Ambrose's statement to life by October 26, 2003, for the
Signature Event at the Falls of the Ohio. But it was
virtually impossible, as time was running out and there
were no funds for this project. Then, by chance (or
Lewis and Clark Luck) Phyllis met Carol Grende in March
of 2003 in Montana, and Carol said, "I can do it." So
with a handshake...another great partnership was formed
and others enlisted to make the impossible dream a
reality.
For more information about the bronze
Email
Us!
About the Sculptor:
Carol (C.A.) Grende from Big Arm, Montana, has designed
a series of Lewis and Clark Sculptures inspired by her
passion for history. "To walk in the footsteps on the
original trails of these explorers fills my heart with
honor and humbles me. I feel so fortunate to have lived
in the West where the traces of the past are etched into
the earth."
Scultures by C.A. Grende and locations:
Whether you're planning a
weekend getaway or a week-long vacation in Clarksville, Indiana, LewisandClarkTrail.com
is your online connection for Hotel
Reservations and Cheap Flights. Still planning your trip? Check
out theeventscalendar, read travel stories, then finish planning
your trip by booking your hotel and making airline reservations. LewisandClarkTrail.com
invites you to locate the Hotel
and search for Cheap Flights that
meet your travel needs.
Thank you &
travel safely.
,wrote on
page 117 of his acclaimed work:
"When they shook hands,
the Lewis and Clark Expedition began." He was referring
to the events that took place at the Falls of the Ohio.
Ambrose's deep booming voice echoed in the minds of
Elmer Hoehn and Phyllis Yeager. Elmer's vision was to
have a recorded history of the Bicentennial reflecting
the Falls of the Ohio as the departure site of the
Expedition. They dreamed of having a statue bringing
Ambrose's statement to life by October 26, 2003, for the
Signature Event at the Falls of the Ohio. But it was
virtually impossible, as time was running out and there
were no funds for this project. Then, by chance (or
Lewis and Clark Luck) Phyllis met Carol Grende in March
of 2003 in Montana, and Carol said, "I can do it." So
with a handshake...another great partnership was formed
and others enlisted to make the impossible dream a
reality.