Mile 815- Grand Island, Nebraska (Modern Day)

Circa 1867
Robert Campbell and Company continued to make their way north up the Republican river throughout that tough 1826 winter. Presumably they made a short cut through the wilderness to reach the Platte river, because by around April of 1826 the party had reached Grand Island, in modern day Nebraska. It must have been a relief for the party when General William Ashley reached the party with supplies. Ashley brought along about 25 men to replace the 25 that had deserted during the tough winter.
Today Grand Island is a city of about 85,000 residents in the metro area. Situated in the southern half of Nebraska this city was founded in 1857 when a group of 35 settlers from Davenport, Iowa set out to establish a central Nebraskan city; one that they hoped would one day become the nation’s capital. That dream was obviously never realized, but the new city’s location on the Platte river along with the later construction of a Union Pacific railroad station allowed for moderate success and growth. By the turn of the century there were many manufacturers calling Grand Island home.

Grand Island, Nebraska
Circa 1870