First Building in Chicago
First Building in Chicago
On December 4, 1674, Father Marquette erected the first building in what would later become Chicago.
Born in France in 1637, Jacques Marquette joined the Jesuits at the age of 17. He spent several years working and studying in France before being sent to New France as a missionary to the Indian population.
In 1668, Marquette was tasked with traveling down the St. Lawrence River in the western Great Lakes to establish new missions. During this trip, he created missions at Sault Sainte Marie and La Puente. While in La Puente, Marquette learned from the natives about a major trade route along the Mississippi River. The locals encouraged him to travel down the river to spread his mission, but a war between different nations forced him to leave the area and return to the Straits of Mackinac.
Once there, Marquette told his superiors about the Mississippi River and requested to take an expedition to explore it. In 1673, he received approval and was sent on an expedition led by Louis Jolliet. They traveled along the east coast of Lake Michigan, up the lower Fox River, across Lake Winnebago, and up the upper Fox River. When they stopped at the Wisconsin River, their two Indian guides left them, out of fear of river monsters.
Marquette and Joliet then continued on their journey, becoming the first Europeans to explore the northern Mississippi. They came upon one tribe that warned them not to go further because some of the other nations wouldn’t show them mercy and that the river was home to dangerous monsters that ate entire canoes. Marquette thanked them for their concern but said that he had to continue because “the salvation of souls was at stake, for which I would be delighted to give my life.”
The pair resumed their exploration and Marquette founded a mission among the Illinois Indians. After returning home, Marquette embarked on another missionary journey. In late December 1674, he and two companions were caught in a bad winter storm on Lake Michigan.
On December 4, they built a log cabin to protect themselves from the elements – creating the first temporary European settlement in what would eventually become Chicago. Father Marquette died the following year at the age of 37 from dysentery.
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Born in France in 1637 — On December 4, 1764, Father Marquette erected the first building in what would later become Chicago.
Are the dates correct? The article states he was 37 when he passed on.
I believe the date of the founding should be 1674 — correct?
Thank you. This has been corrected.
Excellent historical vignette
Another bit of history about America that I didn’t know. Thank you!
I was born and raised in Chicago and I didn’t know this.
Thanks!
His name lives on in Milwaukee where Marquette University, my Alma Mater, is located. There also is Marquette, Michigan on the southern shore of Lake Superior on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Did not know until now about his involvement in the founding of Chicago.
Very interesting article! Thanks, Mystic!
Very interesting, probably means absolutely nothing but I was born in Chicago on December 4 1946 but didn’t grow up there. Just find it coincidental. Thanks again for the history lesson. Really enjoy these daily articles!