Grand Island in Hall County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
La Grande Isle
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
1. La Grande Isle Marker
Grand Island, in the Platte River, has given its name to the city of Grand Island. The island was formed by a narrow channel branching off the Platte River approximately 28 miles upstream from the present city of Grand Island and rejoining the main river about 12 miles downstream from the city.
The name "Grand Island" came from the French name "La Grande Isle", meaning the large or great island. The island probably was discovered and named by French fur traders in the late 1700's. Grand Island or Grand Isle was a well-known landmark for fur traders by 1810. The name Grand Isle appears on a French map published in 1821 and on American maps published in 1822 and 1823.
Both the Long and Fremont exploring expeditions of 1820 and 1842 took note of the size of Grand Island and west-bound travelers of the 1830's often mentioned the island as the most conspicuous feature of the Central Platte Valley.
Grand Island was ceded to the United States Government by the Pawnee Indians in 1848. The modern history of the island begins with the arrival of the first permanent settlers on July 5, 1857.
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Grand Island
This map shows the original location of the La Grande Isle after which the City of Grand Island was named.
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Erected 1967
Erected by Hall County Historical Society and Historical Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 55.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1917.
Location. 40° 54.029′ N, 98° 21.54′ W. Marker is on Grand Island, Nebraska, in Hall County. Marker is in Stolley Park, off Stolley Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2103 Stolley Park Road, Grand Island NE 68801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Original Home of the Stolley Family (a few steps from this marker); Oldest Remaining School House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Trail (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old California Overland Trail (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Pawnee: Prairie Town Builders, Pawnee History (approx. 1.6 miles away); Earth Lodge Design and Construction (approx. 1.6 miles away); Grand Island Public School Bell (approx. 1.6 miles away); Pioneer Park (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Island.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
2. Grand Island Marker
Also see . . .
1. Platte River. (Submitted on March 6, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Stolley Park, Grand Island, Nebraska. (Submitted on March 6, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
3. Grand Island and La Grande Isle Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 882 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
