Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
The vast expanse of the American West in the early 19th century pulsed with the vibrant, albeit rugged, life of the fur trade. This lucrative industry, focused primarily on the high demand for beaver pelts destined to become fashionable hats for gentlemen back east, reached its zenith in the 1840s. From approximately 1810 through the 1880s, a hardy breed of individuals, the trappers and traders, ventured into the formidable Rocky Mountains, carving their existence out of the wilderness.
These mountain men, driven by the allure of profit and the spirit of adventure, were crucial in shaping the landscape and destiny of the American West. Initially, the arduous journey involved transporting their accumulated furs back to established trading posts in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, they would exchange their valuable cargo for essential supplies: ammunition, traps, food, and other necessities required for survival in the harsh mountain environment.
However, a significant shift occurred around 1825. Enterprising traders began to transport supplies to the mountains, setting up temporary trading posts where they bartered directly with the trappers for their furs. This innovation allowed the trappers to remain in the wilderness for extended periods, maximizing their trapping efforts without the time-consuming and often perilous journey back to St. Louis.
Beyond their involvement in the fur trade, these mountaineers played a vital role in the exploration and development of the West. Their constant movement across the landscape led to the discovery and establishment of numerous trails. Many of these trails would later be widened and improved, evolving into the wagon roads that facilitated the westward expansion of thousands of emigrants seeking new lives and opportunities. The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous played a vital role in shaping the west.
One of the earliest organized gatherings resembling the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was orchestrated in 1819 by Donald Mackenzie, a Scottish-Canadian explorer and fur trader representing the North West Company. This event took place in the Boise River Valley and served as a precursor to the more structured system that would soon emerge.
The true establishment of the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous system is attributed to William Henry Ashley of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Recognizing the logistical advantages of centralized trading, Ashley’s company organized annual expeditions that hauled supplies to designated locations within the mountains each spring. These locations became bustling hubs of activity where company representatives traded with trappers, acquiring their accumulated pelts. In the fall, the company would then transport the furs back to settlements along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, completing the trade cycle.
This model proved successful and was quickly adopted by other major players in the fur trade, most notably the American Fur Company, owned by the prominent businessman John Jacob Astor. The competitive landscape of the fur trade fueled the growth and significance of the annual rendezvous.
These annual gatherings, known as the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, quickly evolved into much more than simple trading events. Beginning in 1825, these large fur companies, employing teamster-driven mule trains, transported vast quantities of goods, including essential supplies and highly sought-after luxuries like whiskey, to pre-determined locations. These sites transformed into bustling trading fairs, open to free trappers, various Native American tribes, and even families.
The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous served as a central marketplace where trappers could exchange their hard-earned furs for a wide array of commodities. Clothing, saddles, bridles, tobacco, and of course, whiskey, were among the most popular items. Beyond the immediate exchange of goods, the Rendezvous provided an invaluable opportunity for trappers to meet and engage with traders who might offer employment or contracts for the upcoming year. The vibrant atmosphere of these gatherings was legendary. As the famous mountain man Jim Beckwourth described them, they were filled with "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."
The Rocky Mountain Rendezvous wasn’t solely about commerce and revelry. As the West began to attract more permanent settlers and the influence of established society grew, religious figures also began to make their presence felt at these gatherings. From about 1835, ministers such as Reverend Samuel Parker, Father De Smet, and Dr. Marcus Whitman became regular attendees, bringing with them their spiritual guidance and seeking to minister to the diverse population present.
The annual Rendezvous, often referred to as the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, was frequently held at Horse Creek on the Green River. This location, now designated as the Upper Green River Rendezvous Site, is situated near present-day Pinedale, Wyoming. As a result of its frequent use, the annual event also became widely known as the Green River Rendezvous.
By the mid-1830s, the annual event had reached its peak, drawing as many as 500 men. This included nearly all the American trappers and traders operating in the Rocky Mountains, as well as significant numbers of Native Americans representing various tribes and cultures. However, the golden age of the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was not destined to last.
The arrival of the Canadian-based Hudson’s Bay Company marked a turning point in the American fur trade. Driven by a desire to gain control of the lucrative market, the Hudson’s Bay Company began attending the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in 1834, actively engaging in buying and trading furs.
The Hudson’s Bay Company possessed a significant competitive advantage. Due to their established manufacturing and supply chains, they were able to offer manufactured trade goods at significantly lower prices than their American counterparts. This price disparity made it increasingly difficult for American fur companies to compete, effectively undermining their profitability and market share.
Coupled with the increasing competition from the Hudson’s Bay Company, a decline in the demand for beaver pelts dealt a final blow to the American fur trade system. As silk hats replaced beaver hats in popular fashion, the market for beaver pelts dwindled, rendering the entire industry less profitable. The last official Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was held in 1840, marking the end of an era.
Over the course of its fifteen-year history, the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous took place at various locations throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Of those fifteen meetings, eight were held at a site along the Green River, with five specifically convened near the junction of Horse Creek and the Green River, underscoring the importance of this area to the fur trade.
Today, the primary Rendezvous site near Pinedale, Wyoming, stands as a National Historic Landmark, a testament to the significance of this unique chapter in American history. Each year, on the second Sunday in July, the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale hosts a reenactment of the Rendezvous. This celebration serves as both a historical reenactment and a living history event, allowing visitors to experience a glimpse into the vibrant and challenging world of the mountain men and the fur trade.
The actual Green River Rendezvous site is located approximately four miles west of Pinedale, accessible via U.S. Highway 187. This preserved location offers a tangible connection to the past, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of the trappers, traders, and Native Americans who once gathered there.
For those seeking further information about the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous and the era of the fur trade, the Museum of the Mountain Man and the Sublette County Historical Society Inc. offer valuable resources and insights.
Museum of the Mountain Man
Sublette County Historical Society Inc
PO Box 909
700 E Hennick
Pinedale, Wyoming 82941
1-877-686-6266