Robert Hastert: Omaha in Middle of Lewis and Clark Event

The writer, of Omaha, is activities coordinator of the Mouth of the Platte Chapter of the Lewis & Clark

On July 27, 1804 the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery laboriously paddled and poled its way upstream past what is now the riverfront of downtown Omaha. The explorers reached the Pacific Ocean a year and a half later and then returned to St. Louis, completing an adventure with discoveries and accomplishments unrivaled in the annals of human history. They not only "nailed down" the Louisiana Purchase; they also made it inevitable that the fledgling United States would extend its borders beyond the purchase all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The 200th anniversary commemorating the remarkable achievements of this brave band of 33 men and one woman will begin early in 2003 and extend through 2006. It is estimated that one in 10 Americans and more than a million foreign tourists will participate in the four-year bicentennial celebration. This will make it the largest single event in the history of the world. Its eastern starting point will be Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia, and its western terminus will be Fort Clatsop on the coast of Oregon. Omaha is directly in the middle. 

The United States government has set up the National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial for planning and coordination. Gerard Baker of the National Park Service has been designated as the official representative of the federal government on the council. Mr. Baker's office and home are in Omaha. It is appropriate that the national council is having its sixth annual planning workshop in Omaha this week. 

The organization I represent (the Mouth of the Platte Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation) is advocating Lewis & Clark Plaza as an appropriate name for the old Asarco site that adjoins the planned Omaha convention center. We believe the name is appropriate because of its location, timely because of the bicentennial and very much in the economic interest of Omaha. It will significantly aid in making Omaha a "destination city" for tourists during the Bicentennial. 

Since conventions are booked five to eight years in the future, the handsome new Omaha convention center will be essentially empty during most of the bicentennial. Thus it would be available for all kinds of festivals, fairs and exhibits related to the Lewis and Clark era. What a marvelous opportunity to show the convention center off to our local citizens (taxpayers) and to far-away visitors (prospective customers). 

The Omaha Parks and Recreation Department has been designated by the City Council to propose an appropriate name for the Asarco site. Let us all urge the council to make it Lewis & Clark Plaza. We are in the right place at the right time.