Book Review: Bellevue: A Pictorial History

Bellevue: A Pictorial History by Gary Iske, illustrated by Terry Juhl, Heritage House Publishing, Marceline, Missouri, 1991.

This book is about the history of Bellevue, Nebraska, the oldest town in Nebraska.  The official start date is 1810 the the American Fur Company established a trading post in the area.  Of course the Nagtivr Americans preceded them and had lived in the area for some time.  The Omahas occupied the area in the Fotanelle and Bellevue, while the Otto where a bit further inland.  Following the trading post was the government establishing Indian agency offices.  Then a couple of missions.  First the Baptist mission to the Otto tribe.  Then a Presbyterian mission to the Omaha.  The Prresbyterian church in Bellevue is the oldest church in the state.  The Baptiste mission was destroyed by fire and is no longer standing.  

In 1854 Nebraska was mae a territory.  It was natural that the capital be in the oldest and largest town, Bellevue.  The appointed governor came to Bellevue, but took sick on the journey.  He died just two days after being sworn in as governor in the Presbyterian mission.  After the Lieutenant Governor was not so keen on Bellevue, and being encouraged by those in Council Bluffs, the territorial seat was moved to Omaha.  Bellevue was given the consolation prizre of county seat.  But even that was short lived anf the seat was moved to Pappillion, a more central location.  

While talking about Cuncil Bluffs, they also took the original name from Bellevue.  In fact the first post office for Bellevue was caled Council Bluffs.  It was changed as Council Bluffs took that name.  

The Prebyterian also sponsored a university, Bellevue University.  There are many early pictures of the University in the book, including sports teams.

Bellevue was also bypassed for the railroad as it was determined it would go farther north and go through Omaha.  After losing its place as capital and then as county seat, its name, and the railroad, Bellevue did get Fort Crook.  This is a military base.  It is now called Offutt and is the major location for Strategic Arms Deense.  In other works they monitor the nulcear weapons.  During WWII the manufactured airplanes at the base.

The most impressive thing in the book is pictures after the tornado of 1908.  It was in fact two tornadoes that truck at the same time.  Two deaths and numerous injuries.  The steeps on the Presbyterian church was blown off.  Several roofs and other damage at the Bellevue University.  Also Fort Crook was also badly hit.

The original Bellevue Unversity closed and was sold.  However more recently it has been reestablished farther south and farther west.

I enjoyed this book.  I am trying to get to know the local history.  The pictures add to the written story of Bellevue.