History of Bellevue/Fontenelle as per Fontenelle Forest Center

 This displays tells the history of the Bdellevue area from 1000 through 1851.  It describes the Native Americans, and the trading and fur period.  It includes the esta blishment of an Indian agency in Bellevue.  

Fur Trapping and Trading Posts as per Fontenelle Forest

The first permanent non Indian settlements in Nebraska were in Bellevue, Nebraska in the form of trading posts.  Joshua Pilcher first built a trading post in what became known as Bellevue in 1822.  It was sponsored by the Missouri Fur Company.  Lucien Fontenelle took over the post in 1828 representing the American Fur Company.  Peter Sarpy was also involved in trade in the area, but mostly on the Iowa side of the river.

trade goods

trapping tools

recreational items

artifacts

Map of Bellevue by Maximillian 1832

Fontenelle Trading Post 

Opinions of Native Americans about the Fur Trade