Born in New Jersey in 1779, Pike joined the U.S. Army at the age of twenty, following in the footsteps of his father, also named Zebulon, who was a veteran of the American Revolution and was still an active duty officer when young Pike joined.

Zebulon pike

He explored the upper region of the Mississippi River
He made treaties with the natives in stead of fighting

He claimed from the Pacific Ocean to Oregon county

Pikes peak in colorado was named after him