JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 4, 2002 - One hundred and ninety-eight years after it was explored, a site recorded in the journal of William Clark in 1804 will become Missouri's newest state historic site, thanks to the generosity of an Osage City couple.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced property near the confluence of the Missouri and Osage rivers in Osage County has been donated by William and Carol Norton of Osage City. The 13-acre site will be known as the Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site. The acquisition was official on June 1, 2002.

"This donation by the Nortons will give the Missouri state park system an important site in the department's efforts to interpret the Lewis and Clark Expedition during its 200 anniversary and beyond," said Stephen Mahfood, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "We are pleased that the Nortons have helped us preserve this site and make it available to the public."

The Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived in the area on June 1, 1804. The hill on the property overlooking the Missouri River is believed to be the hill that William Clark climbed while camped at the mouth of the Osage River. His journal noted that he ascended a hill with a rock under it that was more than 100 feet high and afforded a "delightful prospect" of both rivers.

"Once the area is developed, visitors will have the chance to stand on the same hill that Clark did and view the Missouri River as he did," Mahfood said. Plans for the site include a parking area, trail and overlook with interpretive information. The department has received preliminary approval from the National Park Service for a $50,000 Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 2002 Challenge Cost Share Grant to assist with development.

With the acquisition of Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site, the Missouri state park system now has 83 state parks and historic sites. For more information about state parks and historic sites, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), or visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.