Robert Heacock
Robert Heacock was an Eastern Washington native—born in Kennewick and a long-time resident of the greater Spokane area. After seeing many Lewis and Clark sites during his years of business travel, he then embarked on a hobby job as Historian on the cruise boats that ply the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This provided the opportunity to see and document pertinent sights along the rivers, some not usually accessible. He is the author of ‘Wind hard from the west’: The Lewis and Clark Expedition on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The book can be obtained on-line from the Nez Perce County Historical Society and Museum in Lewiston, Idaho at npcmuseum@gmail.com. Prior to his passing in the summer of 2025, he had generously shared many of his river photographs with Discover Lewis & Clark available at lewis-clark.org/arts/artists/robert-heacock/.
Contributions
Lewis and Clark Timeline
Archived 2025, updated 2026
The following comprehensive timeline of all things possibly related to the Lewis and Clark saga, were among the personal notes left by Robert Heacock. His hope was that other historians would find it useful. This editor has added headings and…
ViewChronology of Pacific Northwest Exploration
A comprehensive timeline
Archived 2024, updated 2026
This 262-page document is a timeline of exploration in the Pacific Northwest from the personal notes of Robert Heacock.
ViewThe Astorians
A comprehensive timeline and presentation
Archived 2024, updated 2026
The following table is a comprehensive timeline of the expedition to establish a fur trade post at the mouth of the Columbia financed by John Jacob Astor. The timeline is from the personal notes of Robert Heacock. He hoped that…
ViewEarly Explorers of the Pacific Northwest
A Long Time Coming
Archived 2024, updated 2026
Robert Heacock gives us his presentation on the early explorers of the Pacific Northwest starting with Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1513) and ending with the Tonquin (1810–1814).
ViewRussians on the PNW Coast
Archived 2024, updated 2026
—DRAFT— In studying the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, we learn that President Thomas Jefferson, in his 1803 instructions to Captain Meriwether Lewis, wrote that Captain Lewis may meet a fur trading ship near the mouth of the…
ViewColumbia Plateau Rock Art
Archived 2023, updated 2026
As part of his work as a resident historian aboard Columbia and Snake River cruise ships, Robert Heacock created this presentation about rock art from Columbia Plateau Nations.
ViewLewis and Clark’s Return by Sea?
Not their best option
Archived 2022, updated 2026
When the Lewis and Clark Expedition departed for their ‘expedition to the Westward’, they carried instructions from President Thomas Jefferson outlining the scope of their activities. This also included a suggested option for the return of both them and the…
ViewGeorge Vancouver in the Pacific Northwest
Three essays, one presentation, and a timline
Archived 2022, updated 2026
Captain George Vancouver and Lewis and Clark: A round-about connection (essay) Captain George Vancouver’s Pacific Northwest Explorations (presentation) Originally titled Captain George Vancouver in Puget Sound, this presentation includes information of Vancouver’s exploration into the Columbia River and its connection…
ViewThe Russians at Fort Clatsop
How the "Juno" nearly met the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Archived 2019, updated 2026
Over the years we have heard occasional comments about the potential of a ship taking the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or at least their journals and maps, from the Pacific Northwest to return to the east coast by ship in…
ViewThe Long Arm of Mount Hood
From Robert Gray to Lewis and Clark
Starting with Captain Robert Gray, this short article discusses Mt. Hood’s importance to Pacific Ocean exploration. It ends with Lewis and Clark confirming their location when they first spotted the mountain in fall 1805.
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