Beginning of Settlement in the American West
The vast expanse of the Great Plains, a landscape stretching from the Missouri River westward, remained largely untouched by permanent European settlement until the burgeoning fur trade began to weave its tendrils across the region. While solitary trappers and intrepid individuals initially ventured forth, carrying their hard-won pelts to markets in St. Louis, Missouri, a more structured approach soon emerged. Partnerships and organized companies recognized the strategic advantage of establishing permanent trading posts, strategically positioned to facilitate the exchange of goods with the various Native American tribes inhabiting the surrounding territories.
These trading posts, dotting the western bank of the Missouri River and extending up its tributary streams, became pivotal nodes in the unfolding narrative of westward expansion. Carving their presence into the prairies of Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, these establishments, though varying in size and scope, shared a common purpose: the systematic procurement of furs in exchange for manufactured goods and other commodities.
The beginning of settlement in the American West was a gradual process. The architecture of these early outposts reflected the spectrum of threats and opportunities presented by their location. Some, particularly those situated amidst potentially hostile tribes or serving as central supply depots, were fortified with robust palisades, manned by organized fighting forces, and occasionally even equipped with small cannons, especially in the volatile Sioux country. However, the majority of trading posts were far more modest, consisting primarily of a simple trading store and a handful of essential buildings to house the employees.
The lives of these isolated individuals, far removed from the comforts and conventions of civilization, were characterized by a monotonous routine. Their days were consumed by the business of barter, their environment defined by the seemingly endless plains, and their contact with the outside world limited to infrequent visits from supply boats or passing trappers. Yet, within this seemingly uneventful existence, lay the seeds of permanent settlement.
Each trading post required a contingent of personnel, their numbers proportional to the post’s significance. The core staff typically included the trader and his clerk, responsible for managing the exchange of goods. Woodcutters and haymakers provided essential resources, doubling as boatmen when needed. White trappers, often under contract to the trading company, supplemented the fur supply. Skilled workers in wood and iron ensured the maintenance of equipment and facilities. In some of the larger posts, such as Fort Lisa in Nebraska, women, driven by affection and a spirit of adventure, braved the wilderness to join their male counterparts. The beginning of settlement in the American West also included brave women.
These trading posts gradually evolved into hubs of activity, attracting a diverse array of individuals. Some became favored destinations for free trappers seeking respite and resupply, while others employed numerous paid hunters. The increasing demand for provisions and accommodations led to the construction of houses, initially simple log cabins but sometimes evolving into more substantial structures of earth or even stone. The Indian trading house gradually transformed into a general store, catering to the needs of both Native Americans and the growing number of white inhabitants. The inevitable presence of "red liquor" further cemented the trading post’s role as a social center, attracting a steady stream of thirsty patrons.
As time passed, these trading posts began to morph into rudimentary settlements, often characterized by a haphazard and ungainly layout. Their inhabitants were a transient mix of wanderers, their faces changing with the seasons. Riverboat roustabouts, disillusioned voyageurs, hunters from the plains, adventurers, vagabonds, and the general flotsam and jetsam of the frontier drifted in and out, their presence contributing to the settlement’s rough-and-tumble character.
Yet, amidst this constant flux, a core of individuals remained, content to carve out a life in the wilderness. It was these hardy souls who formed the nucleus of permanent settlement, patiently awaiting the arrival of the first wave of daring pioneers from the East. These new arrivals, armed with plows, horses, and a determination to build a future, sought a place where land was cheap and individual worth was valued above mere wealth. The beginning of settlement in the American West was not for the faint of heart.
This, in essence, is the genesis story of countless towns that now grace the western banks of the Missouri River and overlook the waters of the Kansas River, the Platte, the Niobrara, and numerous other streams. The transformation from isolated trading post to thriving village was a gradual process, driven by the combined efforts of Indian traders, nomadic individuals, and pioneering settlers.
The westward advance, following this initial phase, proceeded relatively rapidly for the first 150 miles. The prairies in this zone presented an inviting landscape, with abundant grasses and timber promising fertile ground for agriculture. Rainfall appeared sufficient, and the Native American tribes in the area remained largely peaceful, creating a conducive environment for settlement. The beginning of settlement in the American West happened because nature invited settlers onwards to possess this good land.
However, the influx of settlers was not overwhelming. Much vacant land remained in the East, and only a select few, those with a thirst for adventure and a love of the wild frontier life, ventured across the wooded hills of Missouri or the rolling pastures of Iowa to establish homesteads on the untamed prairies. These were courageous individuals who defied the risks and challenges of the frontier, forging a new life in the heart of the wilderness.
These early settlers, influenced by their experiences in the East, initially gravitated towards the stream valleys and fertile bottomlands. They displayed a reluctance to settle on the open prairie, deeming it of little value. Constructing their log huts in the timber along the river’s edge or amidst the scattered groves, they endured a life of hardship, privation, and occasional peril.
Despite the challenges, this vanguard of settlement steadily pushed further into the unknown, attracting new recruits from the East. Travelers’ accounts, explorers’ reports, and personal letters all contributed to a growing interest in the region. Soldiers, familiar with the country through their military service, chose to settle there. Hunters, captivated by the unique beauty of the prairie landscape, became permanent residents. And the ubiquitous trader remained close at hand, providing essential goods and services.
The formal organization of Nebraska and Kansas as territories in 1854 marked a turning point in the beginning of settlement in the American West. Prior to this, the region was designated as "Indian country," inhabited primarily by wandering trappers, fur traders, and individuals involved in the Santa Fe trade. However, the opening of these territories to settlement triggered a rapid influx of newcomers. The local census in 1855 recorded a population of 8,501 in Kansas, which surged to 107,206 within five years. Nebraska experienced a less dramatic but still significant growth, from 4,494 in 1855 to 28,441 in 1860. In both cases, settlement remained concentrated along the river bottoms and within a relatively short distance of the Missouri River.
The Santa Fe trade and the Mormon migration exerted a considerable influence on the early settlement patterns of Kansas and Nebraska, respectively. The Oregon Trail also played a significant role in shaping settlement in Nebraska. The more rapid development of Kansas can also be attributed to the intense political struggle over slavery, which attracted ardent supporters from both the North and the South.
While Independence, Missouri, served as the primary outfitting point for caravans heading to Santa Fe, the needs of the trade spurred the growth of Council Grove, Kansas, approximately 150 miles to the west. Situated on the edge of potentially hostile Indian territory, Council Grove became a crucial refitting point for travelers preparing for the more dangerous leg of their journey.
The area’s abundant timber resources attracted early settlers, including skilled workmen. Round Grove, located 35 miles from Independence, also served as a rendezvous point for caravans, leading to the establishment of a small settlement. Where the trails crossed significant streams, enterprising ferrymen quickly established themselves, followed by the emergence of stores and the rudimentary beginnings of villages. Topeka, Kansas, for example, originated from Papin’s Ferry.
The opening of the Oregon Trail resulted in the scattering of squatters along its route, particularly beside the Vermilion, Blue, and Platte Rivers. However, these individuals, with the exception of ferry operators, primarily subsisted through hunting and adopted many of the customs and habits of their Native American neighbors. Some even colluded with Native Americans in raiding passing emigrant trains. The exodus of Mormons along the Platte Valley also contributed to a small population in favorable locations along their route. However, these settlers were generally not agents of civilization. They were often the dregs of the frontier, living hand-to-mouth and associating with the vagrants of the plains. Renegade white men were a common sight in many Indian villages.
The establishment of stage lines and the Pony Express necessitated the construction of stations at regular intervals along routes extending from the Missouri River to the mountains. These stations, typically consisting of simple shacks, housed station keepers, drivers or express riders, hostlers, and other employees. The result was often the development of small settlements, frequently featuring a grog shop and a gambler or two eager to relieve the employees of their wages. Some of these stations on the Overland Trail, such as Julesburg, Colorado, grew into considerable importance, attracting a heterogeneous population and becoming notorious for their lawlessness. The beginning of settlement in the American West was not always civilized.
Drinking, gambling, and reckless shooting were commonplace, and respectable women were rare. The prevalence of barroom brawls did not necessarily equate to genuine courage, as demonstrated on one occasion when the town was threatened by Native Americans. An experienced soldier attempted to rally a hundred frontiersmen to repel the attackers. Armed with whiskey and bellicose intentions, they initially advanced towards the Indian encampment. However, their courage evaporated along with their whiskey, and upon reaching sight of the Native Americans, the entire band scattered, leaving the disgusted soldier to retreat alone.
Prior to the Territorial Act, few Missourians ventured across the border to claim land in eastern Kansas, although organized companies occasionally arrived. Numerous churches in the East dispatched missionaries to the frontier, primarily focusing their efforts on the Native American tribes near the Missouri River. The government established several garrisoned posts along the river, including Fort Kearny, near present-day Nebraska City. Other forts, such as Forts Leavenworth, Scott, and Riley, were constructed further west, in what was then known as the "Great American Desert," a region considered unsuitable for agriculture.
The discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains in 1858 led to some limited settlement on the western edge of the plains, bordering the foothills. While miners flocked to the mountain gulches, others found profitable opportunities in cultivating supplies for the mining camps along the valleys of the eastward-flowing streams. Farmers established settlements at Pueblo on the Arkansas River, along Cherry Creek, and at the site of present-day Colorado City. The city of Denver had its origins at this time, with William McGaa building the first stockade and William Larimer constructing the first house, a log cabin with an earthen floor. By 1858, there were five women in Denver. In the spring of 1859, farmers began cultivating the fertile Arkansas River bottoms.
Corn fetched a high price, making a successful crop as valuable as a gold mine. Farmers cooperated in constructing an irrigation ditch from the Fontaine-qui-Bouille to water their fields. However, their efforts were threatened when a group of disgruntled Missouri prospectors, returning east, allowed their cattle to graze on the farmers’ corn crop. The ensuing conflict resulted in casualties on both sides, but the farmers ultimately prevailed.
The rapid population growth in Colorado spurred a continuous stream of freight across the plains. However, outside of these communication corridors, settlement remained sparse. Freight trains operated by companies such as Russell, Majors & Waddell transported goods along the Arkansas River and the Smoky Hill Trail. Thousands of wagons traversed the Platte River valley, mail services were introduced, and stagecoaches began running regularly to Leavenworth, Kansas, by 1859. A branch of the Pony Express operated from Julesburg, Colorado.
Further north, in the Dakotas and Wyoming, permanent settlement was scarce. The persistent hostility of the Sioux Nation and the unappealing landscape deterred settlers. The absence of a major highway through the Dakota plains also contributed to its relative isolation. Fur traders maintained their forts along the Missouri River and its tributaries, and some prospecting had taken place in the Black Hills with limited success. The first permanent settlement was established at Sioux Falls in 1856, and a few farmers settled along the Missouri River valley a year later. Despite being traversed by thousands on their way to Oregon or California, Wyoming remained largely a wilderness, marked only by a few fur-trading posts.
This was the state of the Great Plains when Kansas and Nebraska were established as territories in 1854, opening the region to legal settlement. Well-worn trails stretched across the landscape, accommodating freight wagons bound for the mountains and emigrant trains on their long journey to the Pacific.
The vast interior, however, remained largely unexplored, touched only by solitary trappers or scouting parties. It was a wilderness dominated by wild animals and Native American tribes. A thin fringe of early white settlements began to appear along the eastern river courses, and adventurous miners flocked to the gulches of the Rockies. But in between lay a desolate expanse, still labeled the "Great American Desert" on maps.