By John Metcalfe, courtesy Alton Regional CVB
HARTFORD, Ill. — The new Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower provides an informative look at the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition where it began at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Dedicated last spring to commemorate the 206th anniversary of the expedition, the facility features two 180-foot towers connected by three viewing platforms at the 50-, 100- and 150-foot levels.
The two towers represent Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Each level of the towers tells stories about the area’s history, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the confluence of the rivers.
The tower is the gateway to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. A visitors center in the northern tower has interactive exhibits, videos and graphic panels about the scenic byway, which runs for 33 miles along the Mississippi River from Hartford to Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton.
The byway commemorates the meeting of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers within a 25-mile stretch.
The tower is located in Hartford, 19 miles north of St. Louis. Group tours are available every hour on the half hour.
