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The Brothers Robidoux: Trailblazers of the American West

Henry James

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The American West is a land of myth and legend, a place where the stories of brave men and women who tamed the wilderness and built a new nation are still told today. Among these stories, none is more fascinating than the tale of the Brothers Robidoux, two French-Canadian fur traders who played a key role in opening up the American West to settlement and trade.

Joseph and Antoine Robidoux were born in St. Louis, Missouri, in the late 1700s. Their father, Joseph Robidoux Sr., was a successful fur trader who had made his fortune in the Louisiana Territory. The young Robidoux brothers followed in their father's footsteps, apprenticing as fur traders themselves. In 1808, they set out on their first fur trapping expedition, traveling up the Missouri River into the uncharted wilderness of the northern Rocky Mountains.

The Brothers Robidoux and the Opening of the American West

by Robert J. Willoughby

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7022 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	268 pages

The Robidoux brothers were skilled trappers and traders, and they quickly established themselves as leaders in the fur trade. They built a network of trading posts throughout the Rocky Mountains, and they traveled far and wide, trading with Native American tribes and exploring the vast and unknown interior of the West.

In addition to their fur trading activities, the Robidoux brothers also played a key role in opening up the American West to settlement. In 1822, Joseph Robidoux founded the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, which became a major gateway to the West. Antoine Robidoux founded the city of Los Angeles, California, in 1834, which became the largest city in the American West.

The Robidoux brothers were true pioneers, men who helped to shape the history of the American West. Their story is a fascinating tale of adventure, courage, and determination, and it is a story that continues to inspire people today.

The Early Years

Joseph Robidoux was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1788. His father, Joseph Robidoux Sr., was a successful fur trader who had made his fortune in the Louisiana Territory. Antoine Robidoux was born in St. Louis in 1794. He was the youngest of Joseph Robidoux Sr.'s seven children.

The Robidoux brothers grew up in a comfortable home in St. Louis. They were educated by private tutors, and they learned to speak French, English, and Spanish fluently. In 1808, the Robidoux brothers set out on their first fur trapping expedition, traveling up the Missouri River into the uncharted wilderness of the northern Rocky Mountains.

The Fur Trade

The Robidoux brothers were among the first white men to explore the Yellowstone River and the Wind River Range. They also traveled as far west as the Pacific Ocean, where they traded with the Native American tribes of the Northwest Coast.

The fur trade was a dangerous business, and the Robidoux brothers faced many challenges during their travels. They were attacked by Native Americans, they were caught in storms, and they even had to eat their own horses to survive. But through it all, they persevered, and they eventually became one of the most successful fur trading companies in the American West.