Here we have a short description of the annual rendezvous in 1839, from F.A. Wislizenus, who
travelled West in the company of the Fur Company of St. Louis (Chouteau, Pratte & Co.)
Seems the mountaineers went to rendezvous for many of the same reasons we modern trappers
attend conventions.


The camping place was about two miles above the Horse Creek, along
the right bank of the Green River. The plain between the two streams is here about three miles
broad. The rendezvous has repeatedly been held here.
We reached the camping place. What first struck our eye was several long rows of Indian tents
(lodges), extending along the Green River for at least a mile. Indians and whites were mingled
here in varied groups. Of the Indians there had come chiefly Snakes, Flatheads and Nezperces,
peaceful tribes, living beyond the Rocky Mountains. Of whites the agents of the different trading
companies and a quantity of trappers had found their way here, visiting this fair of the wilderness
to buy and to sell, to renew old contracts and to make new ones, to make arrangements for future
meetings, to meet old friends, to tell of adventures they had been through, and to spend for once
a jolly day.

Rendezvous near Green River by A.J. Miller

Quite a mix of folks. Americans from north to south, Mexicans, French Canadians, Native Americans of various tribes. No racism here really, everybody got called the N word including oneself in the third person, and to be mistaken for an Indian the highest compliment.

sure must have been a good time,

And a fait bit more rowdy than rendezvous of today.