Yeah it's amazing to think a dirt path was traveled on by so many. Council Bluffs was home to thousands of Mormons as they had a settlement here. It use to be called Kanesville after a gentleman who helped the Mormons get permission to use the land which belonged to the Natives at the time. It was renamed to it's current name in 1852.
Yup 49ers too as the California trail passes through the state as well. Rivers would have been a headache. The Mississippi, Missouri and a lot of smaller ones. Yup plenty of historical sites, most are of this time period.
RE: A Ferry Boat House & Another House off the Mormon Trail