Named the 'beautiful view' by French Canadian traders, Bellevue was established in 1822 as a fur trading post. It changed hands several times between 1822 and 1828, from Joshua Pilcher to Lucien Fontenelle. In 1832, Fontenelle sold it to the U.S. government when the fur trade began to decline. After that, missionaries Moses and Eliza Merrill arrived only to move eight miles to the west in 1835, establishing the Moses Merrill Mission. A French Creole fur trader, Colonel Peter Sarpy, set up a trading post across the river from Bellevue, supplying the expeditions of European and U.S. settlers with necessary items, later establishing a ferry between Bellevue and St. Mary's in 1846. As a hub for the transfer of manufactured goods and furs, Bellevue prospered in the 1840 and early 1850s. After the fur trade's decline in the late 1850s, Bellevue became a multi-industry economy. During Governor Burt's short-lived leadership, Bellevue's economy experienced a building boom in the 1850s. After his death, T.B. Cuming established further economic development at Omaha's new upstart community to the north on the Missouri River. It slipped into near extinction in the latter part of the century as Omaha's growth outstripped the budding town of Bellevue. Fortunately, due to improved transportation access to Omaha, Bellevue's population increased in 1940. Offutt Air Force Base, originally Fort Crook, was responsible for most of Bellevue's growth after the 1940s. Thousands of both civilians and military personnel made Bellevue their home. The population grew from 1200 in 1940 to 4000 in 1950 and 9000 in 1960, and then more than doubled to 20,000 in 1970, a decade later. There is an ever-growing and expanding economy in present-day Bellevue, with a steady annual population increase. Consequently, the city thrives and offers more opportunities to its residents every year.

There are many things to do in the picture-postcard city of Bellevue, Nebraska.
Whether you want the surroundings of nature, a fun outing with the children, or a meal out, Bellevue delivers.

Here are a few favorites:

Fontenelle Forest: Fontenelle Forest offers you everything from yoga to play centers and even a rapture sanctuary with more than twenty miles of trails to explore. Enjoy with the whole family!

Sarpy County Museum: Experience the joys of learning at the museum, with a host of artifacts and historical resources depicting Bellevue's early years. The museum even displays period rooms and a delightful scale model of Fort Cook.

Umami: People come from everywhere to try the out-of-this-world sushi at Umami, a little Asian restaurant nestled in Galvin Street, Bellevue. Expertly trained sushi chefs offer you the most divine culinary experience the city can provide.