Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-14
HISTORIC PLACES BY AUTO
Omaha Rich in Historic Spots for
Motorists.
HISTORY TNTEREsT1NG rms WAY
Q. L. could Contributes Interesting
story on the Subject to the
Current Issue of the
Ford Times.

G. L. Gould, manager OF the Omaha
branch OF the Ford Motor company con
tributes an interesting article on the sub
jeot, Visiting Historic Places by Auto"
20 the current number Of Ford Times the
periodical published monthly at the Of
fices Of the concern. OF especial note in
the article by Mr.. Gould are the references
20 the points OF historical interest In the
vicinity Of Omaha which are accessible TO
the average motorist
The article in part follows:
One Of the most notable signs Of the
times Ia the increasing interest manifested
by Americans in the study Of their own
h story Since the Columbian exposition.
which affected for good in many ways the
culture of the country. we have had minor
commemoratlcns at Omaha. st. Louis, at
Portland, and at Seattle, all celebrating
important events in American history
The way to make a study interesting IL
to first make IL enjoyable. Therefore. II
you wish to study local history do 1t by
automobile.
As an example OF what can be ae-
complished in one day. in the study OF
. history by the motoring method, two auto
lists spent last Christmas day in a Ford
roadster, hunting up places OF interest in
way, or cheaper, cannot be conceived.
Though younger than many of the cities
Of the west, Omaha has historical places
plenty in it's neighborhood. While the
first settlement on the site Of this city was
made in 1925, there had been for twenty
years previously a trading post and fort
on the river just below. where the town OF
Bellevue now stands. This little village
the oldest settlement of white civilization
In Nebraska'-included a favorite burial
ground of the Indians. Elk Hill was so
named by Big Elk. might chief Of the
Omaha tribe, who was buried there.
Fremont, on his return from his first
expedition. stopped at Bellevue a few days
TO have a boat built in which he rowed
down the Missouri river to St Louis.
Before starting he sold at auction the
horses. carts, etc. that he had used on his
trip across the western plains.
Eight miles north OF Omaha lie the village
OF Florence, where the Mormons lived
from June, 1916. 20 April. 1871, in their
hegra from Nauvoo. H., to the promised
land in Utah. In that early day the town,
named by the Mormon winter Quarters -
was much larger than II is today We are
told 1T comprised 1900 people with 5000
wagons, 10000 head OF cattle and large
numbers OF horses and sheep" There il
still standing the house In which Brigham
Young lived; and the large tree opposite
Is said 10 have been planted by the prophet
himself. At the present time, this quaint
looking place is occupied by DIR. w. L.
q, Ross. In the yard there is an old cave
walled with brick which is supposed 10
have been the wine cellar. and until re-
Gently It had double thick refrigerator
doors. DR.. Ross removed these doors and
now uses the cave as a garage for his
Ford car.
In August. 1901. Lewis and Clark on
their famous expedition camped for a few
days near the present village at Fort Cal.
houn. seven miles north of Fiorenct Or
August 3 an important conference was held
with the Indians; and. as was fitting, tho
place was called Council Bluff. The nam,
seems to Rave been popular in this neigh.
borhood. for It was at one time assumed
by the present village Of Bellevue and
later by the city in Iowa, which still re
tains it.
stone has been set up in the village OF
Fort Calhoun TO commemorate this i'm
portant meeting. but unfortunately II ii
far removed from the old camping place
II might be we'll for the automobile club
Of the country to Join with the Historical
societies in preserving and marking ia
nous buildings and places. Although or
ganized primarily for pleasure, the mem
bers are. many of them, men who woul,
appreciate the need of such work ant
would respond to an appeal for help Au
toists. more than any other class Of tray
elers, would visit these places, especial,
such as are located from a distance from
railways.
Who will take the initiative2