Fort Osage

Fort Osage is a reconstructed military trading post built above the Missouri River that originally served as an outpost. The site displays rebuilt structures including barracks and officers' quarters that show how soldiers and traders lived and worked.

William Clark founded this post in 1808 following the Louisiana Purchase to establish American control over the territory. It became a key trading station for exchanges between American soldiers and Osage merchants.

The name comes from the Osage people who lived in this region for centuries. Visitors can see in the exhibits today how soldiers and traders worked and exchanged goods with the local inhabitants.

The fort sits on elevated ground and offers good views of the river along with displays in an education center. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the site spreads across multiple buildings with steps leading up to the higher terrain.

Historical interpreters in period clothing conduct trading negotiations daily and show how soldiers and visitors communicated with one another. These living demonstrations offer a window into the daily interactions at the boundary between two worlds.