Table of Contents
Why did we settle in Michigan?
The first Europeans to arrive in Michigan were the French. Explorer Etienne Brule traveled through Michigan in 1618 searching for a route to China. Soon the French laid claim to the land and began to trade with the local natives for furs.
What are some key settlements in Michigan?
Michigan’s first two settlements were Detroit (Fort Detroit) and Michilimackinac. From here, settlement eventually radiated outward. With the various Indian claims settled and the land surveys (USPLS) completed, the sale of public land, to new settlers, could begin.
Why was it important for Michigan territory to attract many settlers?
These settlers found that the small prairies and oak openings of southern Michigan were well adapted for wheat, and wheat and wool eventually became the state’s principal cash agricultural products. People arrived in such numbers that between 1820 and 1834, the population increased tenfold.
When was Michigan settled?
July 4, 1776
Michigan/Dates settled
Why did Michigan become a state?
Michigan Becomes a State. In 1835, the Michigan territory enacted its first constitution, but statehood was delayed until 1837. The reason for the delay was because the territory was involved in what was known as the Toledo War, a boundary dispute with Ohio.
What created growth in Michigan?
Thousands of prospective agricultural settlers—including many who came from New York and the New England states via the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, as well as many who were foreign-born—established new homes in the state.
Who settled Michigan?
The first permanent European settlement in Michigan was founded in 1668 at Sault Ste. Marie by Jacques Marquette, a French missionary. The French built several trading posts, forts, and villages in Michigan during the late 17th century.
What was the first settlement in Michigan?
Sault Ste. Marie
Father Jacques Marquette founded the first permanent settlement in Michigan at Sault Ste. Marie in 1668 and, in 1671, founded St. Ignace.