"Belvedere Point Lookout" 

bel•ve•dere

Pronunciation: (bel'vi-dEr", bel"vi-dEr'; for 3 also It. bel"ve-de're), [key]
-n.
1. a building, or architectural feature of a building, designed and situated to look out upon a pleasing scene.
2. a cigar, shorter and with thinner ends than a corona.
3. (cap.) a palace in Vatican City, Rome, used as an art gallery.

Please note that Belvedere Point Lookout and Belvedere Point are two different things. Belvedere Point Lookout is near the highest point in Florence, which has been called Belvedere Point, and would imply that it is on Belvedere Boulevard.  Topo maps confirm that the highest point is actually 1/4 block northwest of Nebraska Circle (between the 6200 block and the 6300 block), however, the lookout is slightly east of there in a different location. The Lookout Point itself (the pull-over spot), is on Belvedere Boulevard at approximately 3275 Belvedere Boulevard (()). The different online map services give a slightly different view with their satellite image version: () Streetview

• Best View of lookout using Google Streetview (from below)
• ()

Directions to both

• Directions to the location at 3375 Belvedere Boulevard would be:   (from 30th Ave N.) You can turn west on any street in this area, however there is a traffic light at Laurel Avenue, which can make things easier if you are traveling north on 30th Steet. Go west on Laurel Avenue to North 33rd St. At this point, N 33rd Street appears to be a divided street, however the one on the right does not end up at Belvedere Boulevard. Take the leftmost one (narrow street). Go north on 33rd Street to T intersection (Belvedere Boulevard). Turn right on Belvedere Boulevard, which starts to curve to the left almost immediately. As soon as the curve starts, on your right should be the pull-over area. Alternatively, you can turn west on Belvedere Boulevard at 30th, however the road is a curving road so keep track as you rise in altitude. Following Belvedere Boulevard, you will come to the lookout parking spot on your left. (())
• Directions to the location 1/2 block northwest of Nebraska Circle would be:   (from 30th Ave N.) Go west on Laurel Avenue to North 34th St. Go north on 34th Street from Belvedere, turn right onto Nebraska Circle (an extension of Nebraska Avenue that forms a cul-de-sac). The hightest spot is half a block west of the cul-de-sac on the north side; a house is located at this spot, (())

Historic Significance

It has been questioned whether Lewis and Clark ever stopped in the Florence area.  If they did and spent any time in the area, they surely would have wanted to get a great view of the surrounding area, and no better place than the highest point.  That point is almost exactly where Belvedere Point Lookout is located.  Today, there is a small park, complete with a couple of benches.  You can get a great view of the river and the bluffs.

Need Better Images

Currently, we do not have a photograph of the lookout area that we have permission to use.  Here are two aerial views; one has a Topographic overlay(bottom view).  The grid lines of the topo map look like crayon width lines so it is difficult to see that this is the highest point in Florence.  The quality is not great but the only thing that the government offers for free.  The top image has a red dot where I originally thought Belvedere Point Lookout was supposed to be located.  There was a time when the Terraserver website could be used to view these maps and move around. They no longer provide that type of service (you have to be a member now). It is not important now since Google maps provides a much better view of the area.*