Clark's Tree

Clark's Tree is a 20-foot tall bronze sculpture in Long Beach that reproduces a tree into which Captain William Clark carved his name during his expedition. The artwork stands on a dune above the beach and captures the proportions and shape of the historical tree.

The original tree dated to around 1805 when the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the Pacific Northwest. The bronze sculpture was created later to preserve this significant moment in American western expansion.

The sculpture commemorates the presence of early explorers on the Pacific coast and attracts visitors interested in the origins of western exploration. It serves as a symbol of the encounter between European expeditions and the Pacific Northwest.

The sculpture sits on a dune above the Long Beach shoreline and offers views of the ocean. Visiting works best in good weather, as the dune is exposed to wind and ocean spray.

Before reaching its final location, the sculpture traveled down the Columbia River in 2003 and made multiple public viewing stops along the way. This unusual journey made the artwork itself a part of the exploration history it represents.

Inception: 2003

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 46.37118,-124.06182

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:47