French fur trappers in Manuel Lisa's expedition called the 52 mile long island on the Platte River, La Grande Isle which means the big island.

Steamboats were an important method of transportation on rivers in the United States in the 1800-1900's. Steamboats on the Missouri River were started in 1819. They helped Omaha grow into an important stopping place for settlers who were traveling along the Platte River Road. They could buy more supplies there.

The Pawnee Indians sold a strip of land to the United States Government for 4 cents an acre. The government wanted the land so they could build a road to Fort Kearny.

A war in Germany that caused many young men and families to emigrate from their homes to this country.