Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Homesite, First permanent settlement site near Chicago River, Illinois.
Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Homesite is the original 18th-century settlement near the mouth of the Chicago River. The location contains remains of a trading post with a main residence, two barns, a mill, and several outbuildings that together formed an early commercial and residential settlement.
The founder established this settlement in 1780, creating the foundation for what would become modern Chicago. This early trading post marked the start of development into an urban center at a strategic location on the river.
The property reflects the meeting of three worlds through its founder's mixed heritage and trading networks with both Native peoples and European settlers. The way this person lived and worked along the river shows the diverse connections that shaped early Chicago.
The memorial site is located at Pioneer Court with a bronze bust and informational plaques about the historical importance. Visitors can easily explore this area and connect modern Chicago's surroundings with its early roots.
The original settlement operated an advanced commercial enterprise with a horse-powered mill, a bakehouse, a smokehouse, and poultry facilities. This range of specialized workshops was unusually sophisticated for the time and location.
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