Rocky Mountain Rendezvous facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rocky Mountain Rendezvous |
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Typical rendezvous scene
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| Status | No longer held |
| Begins | Early summer |
| Ends | Mid-summer |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Various |
| Years active | 1825 – 1840 |
| Founder | William Henry Ashley |
| Participants | Fur trappers & merchants |
The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was a big yearly meeting held from 1825 to 1840. It took place in different spots across the American West. Fur trading companies set up these gatherings. Here, trappers and mountain men could sell the animal furs they had collected. They also bought new supplies they needed for the year ahead.
These companies would send groups of wagons pulled by mules. These wagons carried goods and supplies to a special meeting spot each spring or summer. This spot was announced ahead of time. When everyone arrived, they set up a large trading fair. This fair was called the rendezvous.
After the fair, the wagon drivers would pack up all the furs. They took them to places like Fort Vancouver for British companies. American companies sent their furs to ports along the Missouri River, like St. Joseph, Missouri.
What Happened at a Rendezvous?
Rendezvous were known to be very exciting and happy places. Everyone was welcome to join in the fun. This included fur trappers, Native Americans, their families, and even travelers. Some people came all the way from Europe just to watch the events.
James Beckwourth, a famous mountain man, described the scene. He said there was "Mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent." It was a time for fun, games, and sharing stories.
Rendezvous Today
Even today, people still celebrate the spirit of the old rendezvous. Groups like traditional black-powder rifle clubs in the U.S. and Canada hold their own gatherings. These events can be small, put on by local clubs. Or they can be very large, like the Pacific Primitive Rendezvous.
These modern rendezvous include many of the same activities as the originals. People enjoy shooting old-style rifles and shotguns. They also throw knives and tomahawks. Primitive archery is another popular activity. There's also cooking, dancing, singing, and telling tall tales. Participants often dress up as trappers, traders, Native Americans, or other people from that time.
Where the Rendezvous Took Place
The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous moved to different locations each year. Here are some of the places where these famous gatherings were held:
- 1825: McKinnon, Wyoming. This was the very first meeting of white traders and trappers in the Rocky Mountains. It happened in July, near Henrys Fork. Jedediah Smith became a partner in the fur trade here.
- 1826: Cache Valley, Utah. This rendezvous was held near today's Cove or Hyrum. After this meeting, Smith, Jackson, and Sublette bought out William Henry Ashley's share of the fur company.
- 1827: Bear Lake, near Laketown, Utah. There were some conflicts with Blackfoot Indians during this meeting.
- 1828: Bear Lake. More conflicts with the Blackfoot happened here.
- 1829: Lander, Wyoming.
- 1830: Riverton, Wyoming. Smith, Jackson, and Sublette sold their company to new partners like Jim Bridger and Thomas Fitzpatrick.
- 1831: Cache Valley. The supplies arrived late this year, so it wasn't a full rendezvous.
- 1832: Pierre's Hole, east of Rexburg, Idaho.
- 1833: Daniel, Wyoming.
- 1834: Granger, Wyoming. The Rocky Mountain Fur Company ended its business. The American Fur Company then took over supplying the rendezvous.
- 1835: Daniel, Wyoming.
- 1836: Daniel, Wyoming.
- 1837: Daniel, Wyoming.
- 1838: Riverton, Wyoming.
- 1839: Daniel, Wyoming.
- 1840: Daniel, Wyoming. This was the last official Rocky Mountain Rendezvous.
See also
In Spanish: Rendezvous de las Montañas Rocosas para niños
