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Pike County facts for kids

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Pike County is a name shared by ten different counties across the United States. These counties are found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. All of them were named to honor a famous American explorer and soldier, Zebulon Pike.

Who Was Zebulon Pike?

Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779–1813) was an American brigadier general and explorer. He was a key figure in the early exploration of the American West. His journeys helped map out new territories for the young United States.

Early Life and Military Career

Pike was born in Lamberton, New Jersey. His father was a military officer, so Pike grew up around army life. He joined the military himself at a young age. He quickly showed skills in leadership and mapping. These talents made him a good choice for important exploration missions.

Exploring the American West

Pike led two major expeditions into the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. His first trip, from 1805 to 1806, explored the upper Mississippi River. He was looking for the source of the river.

His second and most famous expedition was from 1806 to 1807. During this journey, he explored the American Southwest. He traveled through parts of what are now Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico. While in Colorado, he tried to climb a very tall mountain. He did not reach the top, but the mountain was later named Pikes Peak in his honor. This mountain is a famous landmark today.

Why So Many Places Bear His Name?

Zebulon Pike was seen as a national hero during his time. His explorations helped the United States understand its new lands. He also served bravely in the War of 1812. He died in battle in 1813. Because of his important contributions to exploration and his military service, many places were named after him. This includes the ten Pike Counties across the country.

Pike Counties Across the USA

Here is a list of the counties named after Zebulon Pike:

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