Cabanne's Trading Post facts for kids

Cabanne's Trading Post was an important place for trading furs in the early 1800s. It was set up in 1822 by the American Fur Company near what is now Dodge Park in North Omaha, Nebraska. At first, it was called Fort Robidoux, named after a fur trapper named Joseph Robidoux. Later, it became known as Cabanné's Post, named after its manager, Jean Pierre Cabanné. He was from the French community in St. Louis, Missouri.

This trading post was located in a key area. It was about 10 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska. It was also close to other important forts like Fort Atkinson and Fort Lisa. This location made it a central place for trade and communication. The Cabanné Archaeological Site is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This happened in 1972.

History of Cabanne's Trading Post

A Busy Trading Hub

Cabanné's Post was very successful partly because it supplied goods to the soldiers at nearby Fort Atkinson. This gave them a steady business. In 1823, a famous explorer named Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied visited the post. He wrote good things about it, praising Cabanné and the facilities.

Jean Pierre Cabanné also helped the American Fur Company grow. He hired many traders and trappers. The company, led by John Jacob Astor, became very powerful in the American fur trade. One of the people Cabanné hired was Joseph Marie La Barge, who later had a town in Wyoming named after him. Cabanné managed the post until 1833.

Changes and Decline

By 1833, the post had many buildings. These included storehouses, shops, and houses. Joshua Pilcher took over managing the post that year. He ran it until about 1840. Around this time, the American Fur Company stopped its operations at Cabanné's Post. The fur trade was not as important as it used to be. The company moved its remaining business to Fontenelle's Post in what is now Bellevue, Nebraska. Later, Peter A. Sarpy took over Fontenelle's Post.

The Site Today

The original location of Cabanné's Trading Post is north of present-day Dodge Park. It is near the Florence area in North Omaha. The Cabanné's Post Archaeological Site is still listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a featured stop on the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway. A house built in the style of Cabanné's House in St. Louis is also a listed historic site nearby.