Clark's Tree is a bronze memorial sculpture in Long Beach, Washington commemorating Lewis and Clark's journey across North America. It sits on a dune above the Pacific Ocean beach at Breakers near where Clark carved a message on a living tree to establish United States precedence of discovery and occupation in what was then the Oregon Country. The memorial was created by Stanley Wanlass, a sculptor educated at Brigham Young University.[1] The sculpture marks the westernmost and northernmost point of Lewis and Clark's journey on the Pacific coast.[2][3]

Clark's Tree
ArtistStanley Wanlass
Year2003
MediumLost-wax cast bronze
SubjectLewis and Clark Expedition 1805 arrival at the Pacific Ocean
LocationLong Beach, Washington
Coordinates46°22′16″N 124°03′43″W / 46.37118°N 124.06182°W / 46.37118; -124.06182

The sculpture was built in Clarkston, then barged down the Columbia River in 2003 with stops for public viewing in Richland, Hood River, Portland and Vancouver,[4] then into the Pacific Ocean to reach Long Beach. In the process the sculpture was nearly lost at sea, according to Wanlass.[2]

Another marker with the same name was constructed in 1932 at 3rd and Pacific in Long Beach's downtown area.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Richard G. Oman, "Sculpting an LDS Tradition", churchofjesuschrist.org, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  2. ^ a b Edward Stratton (April 10, 2014), "Famed bronze sculptor offers memorial for those lost at sea", The Daily Astorian, Astoria, Oregon
  3. ^ Jennifer Ott (May 8, 2011), "Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition visits the future site of Long Beach on November 19, 1805", HistoryLink, Seattle: History Ink
  4. ^ DEAN BAKER (October 2, 2003), "Lewis & Clark Bicentennial: Bronze tree honoring Lewis & Clark to dock here", The Columbian, Vancouver, Washington, archived from the original on November 19, 2018 – via HighBeam
  5. ^ Saindon 2003, p. 530.

Sources

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