Omaha Exploration

The Pioneer Log Cabin located at 1805 Hancock St in Bellevue may be the oldest building in Nebraska. While it hasn’t been confirmed, it is said to have been built along the Missouri River in 1835. A part of John Jacob Astor’s Fur Trading Post, it was moved to higher ground after a cholera outbreak. It was moved to its current site which belonged to the Presbyterian Mission in 1854.  In 1856 Joseph Betz used it as a carpenter’s shop when he built the Old Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street.

The cabin with hand-hewn cottonwood logs was originally packed with mud. Inside it had a dirt floor, fireplace and a loft that was used as a bedroom. It was used as a residence until 1954 during which it was expanded in size when a kitchen and pantry were added to the east end of the building. Over the years, grout was used to seal the cabin instead of mud, the exterior walls were covered with clapboard and a window was added to the south. 

It served as the residence to just three families starting with James Gow. Research by Michaela Armetta of Omaha History Club states that Gow bought it from Joseph La Flesche, Iron Eye, the last recognized head chief of the Omaha Tribe. If true, it the cabin may have been the birthplace of Susette La Flesche, Bright Eyes. She was the spokesperson for Native American rights and acted as Standing Bear’s interpreter during his trial at Fort Omaha in 1879.

Gow sold the cabin to the first of two widows. The first was Mary Kinney in 1868. The second was Josephine Mountain whose family owned the cabin from 1885 until the time they sold it to the Sarpy County Historical Society in 1954. 

Since that time the cabin has undergone several restoration projects including the removal of the clapboard siding, replacing both the roof and rotting logs and adding a basement. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Today the cabin is said to be in near-original condition and is available for tours by contacting the museum.

I’d love to hear what you have to say so please feel free to comment. Until next time, keep exploring!

More pictures

Omaha Exploration is sponsored by

Click here to contact me if you’re interested in sponsoring OE.