In the early 1800s, French trader Pierre Denaud established a trading post in the modern-day LaBelle area. During the Seminole Wars, United States troops built a fort along the Caloosahatchee River in 1838, named Fort Denaud in his honor. About three years later, Fort Thompson was established. These military posts became the first permanent settlements in modern-day Hendry County. Originally, the area now comprising Hendry County remained relatively inaccessible, as the Florida Everglades covered more than half of the county's present-day boundaries. Further, nearly the entire area became submerged with water seasonally; thus, only cattle-grazing was a suitable industry. However, by 1881, the Atlantic and Gulf Coast and Okeechobee Land Company began draining the land after entering into a contract with the trustees of the internal improvement fund. The county's first post office was established at Fort Thomson in 1884. The state of Florida established Lee County in 1887, which included land now part of Hendry County. Settlement in LaBelle began around 1889 or 1890, after the town was platted by Francis A. Hendry, a cattle rancher, politician, and officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
in the early 1800s french trader pierre denaud established a trading post in the modern-day labelle area during the seminole wars united states troops built a fort along the caloosahatchee river in 1838 named fort denaud in his honor about three years later fort thompson was established these military posts became the first permanent settlements in modern-day hendry county originally the area now comprising hendry county remained relatively inaccessible as the florida everglades covered more than half of the county's present-day boundaries further nearly the entire area became submerged with water seasonally; thus only cattle-grazing was a suitable industry however by 1881 the atlantic and gulf coast and okeechobee land company began draining the land after entering into a contract with the trustees of the internal improvement fund the county's first post office was established at fort thomson in 1884 the state of florida established lee county in 1887 which included land now part of hendry county settlement in labelle began around 1889 or 1890 after the town was platted by francis a hendry a cattle rancher politician and officer in the confederate states army during the american civil war