Moses Merrill Mission

The first building was part of facilities built in 1835 when the United States Government removed the Otoe about eight miles southwest of Bellevue.

As of 2005, the only remainders of the second and larger mission building are its original chimney and the cottonwood trees planted by Eliza Merrill.

When the US Government removed the Otoe to a location southwest of Bellevue near the mouth of the Platte River, the Merrills followed to remain with them.

[3] In 1835 they quickly established a school and church for the Otoe tribe, whose nearest village and cemetery lay a quarter of a mile directly southeast.

The missionary work was arduous, as the couple tried to protect the Otoe from mercenary traders and unsympathetic settlers, as well as competing Indian factions.

[4] Eliza Merrill left Nebraska soon after the death of her husband to return with their son to Albany, New York, where she established an orphanage.

It is believed that Eliza Merrill planted at least three of the giant cottonwood trees standing on the site today, which range from 25 to 30 feet in circumference.

A large chimney built of native limestone was "plastered with lime almost as hard as the stone itself," and was located in the center of the building.