Bordeaux Trading Post
HistoryA small trading post established in 1845-46 by James Bordeaux while in the employ of Pierre Chouteau, Jr. & Company. In the summer of 1845, Bordeaux occupied an important position at Fort Laramie. He later established headquarters on the Platte near the site of the Grattan massacre but maintained this small post in northwestern Nebraska for 26 years and carried on a successful trade with the Sioux through its use. Bordeaux was known as "the Bear" to his Sioux customers. This post was attacked by a Crow war party under White Bear in October 1849. A pursuing Brule Sioux party intercepted the raiders near the later site of Crawford, Nebraska and this action gave the name "Crow Butte" to a prominent landmark there. Bordeaux abandoned the trading post in 1872 and removed to Fort Randall on the Missouri River where he died in 1878. From 1872 until about 1876 this post was occupied by F. C. Boucher, another trader. In the summer of 1876, 40,000 rounds of Winchester ammunition were confiscated at the post by military authorities to prevent their sale to hostile Sioux. Current Status![]() ![]() Part of the Museum of the Fur Trade. The trading post site includes two buildings: a combined trading house and living quarters and a small warehouse. Both buildings have been completely reconstructed to original lines and grades, using the original post holes and aged wood from nearby ranches. The reconstructed Bordeaux Trading Post has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. NRHP ID: 72000746
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Links: Visited: 11 Jun 2020
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