Meriwether Lewis, Of Lewis And Clark Fame, Is Buried In Rural Tennessee

It may not come as a shock that musicians such as Johnny Cash and Elvis are buried in the great state of Tennessee, but most folks don’t realize that along a quiet country road is a memorial to Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition. His story is long and meandering, but a visit to his memorial is perhaps one of the best-hidden gems in the area. Expect a picnic area and hiking trail when you get there, and make sure you read every plaque. Meriwether Lewis was more fascinating than you may think!

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Tucked away in Hohenwald, Tennessee is the grave of the famous yet oft-forgotten explorer, Meriwether Lewis.

Wikipedia

Meriwether Lewis is best known for his role as the famed "Lewis" of the Lewis and Clark exploratory team, but many folks don't realize he also served as the second governor of Missouri and was a well-known politician as well.

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Wikipedia

Lewis published the very first laws in the Upper Louisiana Territory and also helped to negotiate peace treaties with local Native American tribes.

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Although his life was full, Lewis still met his fair share of controversy along the way. He was actually headed to Washington, DC in September of 1809 when he passed away on the Natchez Trace. The Trace is an old pioneer road and Lewis is known to have attempted suicide while on his journey.

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Many believe that Lewis died by suicide since his cause of death was a gunshot wound to the gut and head. He bled out on-site. Some believe he was attacked, but accounts from the time varied.

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You'll find the grave of Meriwether Lewis in Hohenwald, located close to the place of his death. In fact, the grave is barely 200 yards from the Trace. Though it was first unmarked, a local stonemason from Columbia eventually designed a broken column that was erected in 1848.

Wikipedia

There is no pomp and circumstance at the gravesite, but rather it's a quiet nod to a man who influenced the history of the United States in his own subtle way. Lewis' legacy lives on and his gravesite remains a stoic nod to the life he dedicated to exploration and progress.

You can learn a little more about the gravesite along the Natchez Trace with a visit to its official website. There’s nothing quite like experiencing local history, and Tennessee has it in spades.

You can learn more about local history with a visit to Port Royal State Historic Park in Adams, Tennessee.