Driving through NorthWest Crossing may remind you a lot of your
7th grade history class. In keeping with the trail-blazing
nature of NorthWest Crossing, most of the street names in the
community are based on the people and geography of the Lewis
and Clark Expedition.
Bratton Lane - Pvt. William E. Bratton was a
tall man from Kentucky whose back pain was cured through the
Nez Perce Indian sweat baths.
Clark Street - William Clark, co-leader of the
expedition, was a man who recognized the personal dignity of
American Indians, honoring their cultures and religious
beliefs. These positive relations were important in the Western
expansion of the United States.
Clearwater Drive - Lewis and Clark reached the
Clearwater River in Idaho in the fall of 1805. They then
floated the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia Rivers in canoes,
reaching the Pacific Ocean in November of the same year. This
street name was chosen from a list of name options by the
students at Summit High School.
Colter Avenue - Pvt. John Colter was a
reliable member of the expedition and a good hunter. When the
expedition was over, he stayed in the mountains as a trapper
and was the first non-Indian to see what is now Yellowstone
National Park.
Fort Clatsop Street - In December 1805 the
explorers built this fort on the Columbia River, near
present-day Astoria, Oregon. An information center and replica
of the fort is located at the original fort site.
High Lakes Loop - Named by the students of
High Lakes Elementary.
Labiche Lane - Pvt. Francois Labiche, who was
half-French, half-Omaha Indian, served the expedition as a
boatman, Indian trader and interpreter.
LePage Place - Pvt. Jean Baptiste LePage
joined the expedition mid-journey to replace the discharged
John Neuman. He had traveled farther into the West than most
whites and his knowledge was valuable to Lewis and Clark.
Lemhi Pass Drive - The expedition crossed the
Continental Divide through Lemhi Pass late in the summer of
1805.
Lewis Street - Meriwether Lewis, co-leader of
the expedition, was Thomas Jefferson's personal secretary and
confidante. After the expedition he was appointed a
governorship in the Louisiana Territory. He died in 1809 of two
gunshot wounds to the head and chest; there is still some
controversy as to whether he was murdered or committed
suicide.
John Fremont Street - John Fremont was an
explorer who journeyed west on the Oregon Trail in 1842 and
1843. His explorations, which helped coin the concept "Manifest
Destiny", and his reports of easy, enjoyable Western passage
were a vital part of America's western expansion.
McNeal Way - Pvt. Hugh McNeal was recruited
for the expedition from the army; he was with Lewis when he
arrived at the Continental Divide.
Ordway Avenue - Sgt. John Ordway was an
enlisted soldier and expedition member who kept a detailed
daily journal during the journey which provides us with many
historical details.
Pompy Court - Pompy was the nickname Clark
gave the baby son of Sacagawea, whose given name was Jean
Baptiste Charbonneau.
Pryor Way - Sgt. Nathanial Hale Pryor was
called a "man of character and ability" by others on the
journey; he eventually became a trader with the Indians.
Sacagawea Lane - A 15-year-old Shoshone Indian
girl who traveled on the expedition with her infant son on her
back. Serving the important roles of interpreter and guide, her
knowledge of edible and medicinal native plants and roots also
assisted in the journey. Some say that without her the
expedition would not have been successful.
Shields Drive - Pvt. John Shields, one of the
few married men on the expedition, was a skilled blacksmith,
gunsmith and carpenter.
Silas Place - Named for Pvt. Silas Goodrich, an expedition member who was known for his fishing skills.
