As Pike County Missouri celebrates its bicentennial, the spotlight is shining on the man who gave it his name.

Zebulon Pike led the first American military expedition of the Upper Mississippi River and explored the Southwest.

Pike was in what would become the county named for him at least twice — camping on an island near Louisiana and at the mouth of the Salt River. He was a contemporary of Lewis and Clark, but didn't get as much attention as they did. Historians still consider Pike to be significant and his insights to be valuable in opening up territory secured during the Louisiana Purchase.

The commander died as he had wished — in battle. In happened in 1813 as the Americans battled British forces at Toronto Canada.

Five years later, Pike County was created. As originally organized, it featured what would become nine full counties and parts of six others extending to the Iowa border and across most of Central Missouri.

Nine other states have Pike counties, and many communities, townships, parks and other landmarks carry the name.  

The county will observe its 200th anniversary on December 14th with a community breakfast in Curryville and a bicentennial dinner at Tievoli Hills Resort near Clarksville.