The Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower is a tower on the
Illinois bank of the
Mississippi River at the
confluence
In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. A confluence can occur in several configurations: at the point where a tributary joins a larger river (main stem); o ...
of it and the
Missouri River. The tower complements the
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site opened in 2002 and is owned and operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation (formerly Illinois Historic Preservation Agency). The site, located in Hartford, ...
, about one mile to the south, where the
Lewis and Clark Expedition made winter camp before setting up the Missouri river.
The tower has platforms at 50, 100, and 150 feet, providing a good view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Downtown
St. Louis and the
Gateway Arch can also be seen from the tower.
The tower contains two legs joined by viewing platforms, with an elevator in one leg and stairs in the other.
Its construction, lasting from 2002 to 2010, was funded by $5 million from local and state sources.
References
External links
Confluence Tower— official website
Confluence Tower on KETC— local public television station
KETC profiles the tower
Towers in Illinois
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Buildings and structures in Madison County, Illinois
Towers completed in 2010
Tourist attractions in Madison County, Illinois
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