Sioux Point

Sioux Point is the cud de sac that Lewis & Clark noted on August 21, 1804, between the Big Sioux and the Missouri Rivers and south of old McCook. French-Canadian trappers had intermarried with the Sioux and about 1849, John B. La Plante came into the area followed by John McBride, who located about a mile below the Pacquette Ferry, licensed by Capt. Turnley in 1855 at the point US 77 now crosses the Big Sioux.

Other pioneers of the area were Peter Arpin, Antoine Fleury, Adolph Mason, just west of McBrides and Joseph Chattelion, whose place was Cole, now Union County, first county seat, just south of McCook. When John Ball surveyed the area in the fall of 1860, he found Austin Cole for whom the county was named, Christopher Maloney, Mrs. Manses and Jim Sommers in the area.

County Judge Moorhead granted Henry Ayotte a ferry license to run a ferry December 3, 1855, down river from Pacquette’s. He sold to Charlos Ganon, who died, with Theophile Brugier, a power in the community, as administrator. These two ferry licenses were in the courts for several years. Sioux Point was a lively community.

Big money was at stake. Ferry rates were 50 cents for a team; 25 cents for a horse and rider; 10 cents for loose stock and footmen and 5 cents for sheep and hogs. In 1863, when troops were assembled for the Indian Campaign, Camp Cook was established at west end of Pacquette’s ferry and things were ever livelier.