During the 1700's and the first half of the 1800's one of the largest industries in North America was Fur. America was rich in many kinds of fur bearing animals and the fur and hides of these animals was a much sought after commodity. The hearty souls who went out into the great American Wilderness to hunt and trap these furs and hides were known as Hunters or Longhunters, Courier Du Bois, and Trappers. These colorful and courageous folks would become known as the “Mountain Men.”

In the Western Fur Trade, the first trappers went west in search of beaver as well as many other sources of hides and pelts. When the season was over, they were left to their own devices to get their catch to one of the few outlying trading posts, or back to markets in the east. In 1825, William Ashley redeveloped an old trading system that brought the trade out to the source. Every year the trade caravans came out to meet the Trappers ("Free" as well as "Company") as well as many of the Indian tribes to trade goods and supplies for furs. Each year everyone was to meet at a pre-determined place where furs and pelts could be traded for all manner of supplies, goods, and whiskey. Everyone came to trade, whoop it up with old friends, make some new ones, and to get whatever news there might be. Thus was born the "Rendezvous.

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