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| Once
they picked a site, the men started cutting down cottonwood trees
to build a fort. From November until December 25, 1805, they constructed
a trapezoid shaped structure with 7 lodging rooms, 2 storage rooms
and a blacksmith shop. The Palasade style walls stood 18 feet high.
The flag first flew over the fort on Christmas Day. Looking into the
rooms, you wouldn't think they could house the entire Corps. Some
of the hired boatmen built their own pirogue and returned to St Louis;
others went to live in the Indian villages until the keelboat would
return to St Louis in the spring. The reduction in members was soon
replaced with interpreters Rene Jessaume and his wife; Toussaint Charbonneau
and his two wives, Sacagawea and Otter Woman. The number of inhabitants
stood at more than 40. The unseen lofts above each room provided the
extra sleeping space. The fort was built close to the Missouri, top
left, which soon froze over for the winter. |
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