Lewis and Clark at Hicklin lake, Lexington Riverfront Park, Lexington MO - 'You Are Here' Maps on Waymarking.com

You are here, map locates you on the Missouri River as it looked in 1804. The river as it looks today is directly in front of you. Camp sites for the Expedition are also on the map

Few people today realize that Hicklin Lake, a few miles below Lexington, once had a more sinister name and reputation among Missouri River boatman. Henry Marie Brackenridge in his Journal of a Voyage Up the Missouri River In 1811, described the island near the lake as the "Island of the Sorcerer" and noted that superstitious boatmen believed a wizard lived there. These boatmen, Brackenridge says, "declare that a man has been frequently seen on the sand beach, at this point, but that he suddenly disappears on the approach of anyone."

Duke Paul Württemberg, in his journey up the Missouri in 1823, noted in his journal that the right bank of the river in the vicinity on the lake was "bounded by low hills and touches upon a swamp, Marais du Socier [Swamp of the Sorcerer], which has the worst reputation among the aborigines and immigrants and gives occasion to all sorts of rumors and stories."

Capt. William Clark was apparently unaware of the forbidding reputation of the lake and nearby island and in fact thought of the lake as a wildlife paradise. He observed that the "Lake is Said to abound in all kinds of fowls" and the "great quantities of Deer frequent this Lake dureing Summer Season, and feed on the hows [haws] &c. &c. they find on the edges."

The city park, provides boat launch access, picnic facilities, rest rooms, and river access. There is not any swimming available at this site.