Louis Hennepin

Louis Hennepin was a Franciscan priest of the Recollet order who, along with La Salle visited the Detroit area in 1679 and reported finding evidence there of previous visits by Jesuits and coureurs-de-bois, as well as a Huron village. Hennepin provided the first written description of the Detroit area. This is what he wrote:

This strait is finer than that of Niagara, being thirty leagues long, and everywhere one league broad, except in the middle which is wider, forming the lake we have named Ste. Claire. The navigation is easy on both sides, the coast being low and even. It runs directly from north to south. The country between these two lakes is very well situated and the soil is very fertile. The banks of the strait are vast meadows, and the prospect is terminated with some hills covered with vineyards, trees bearing good fruits, groves and forests so well disposed that one would think Nature alone could not have made, without help of Art, so charming a prospect. The country is stocked with stags, wild goats, and bears which are good for food, and not fierce as in other countries. Those who shall be so happy as to inhabit that noble country cannot but remember with gratitude those who have discovered the way by venturing to sail upon an unknown lake for above 100 leagues.

It was soon after this that French travellers passing through the area first started referring to it as lé detroit, or the straits.

Hennepin stayed with La Salle until the founding of Fort Crevecoeur at present day La Salle, Illinois. In February of 1680, Hennepin left the fort to under take an expedition of his own. During this expedition, on April 11, Hennepin and his men were captured by some "Sioux". The men were rescued by Sieur du Luth later that year.

Back to Prelude to a City
Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle

Links to more Louis Hennepin Sites

• Central Michigan University presentation: "I arrived at Detroit..."
• Compton's Encyclopedia: Louis Hennepin
• Discovery.com: Louis Hennepin
• Famous Belgians
• The Virtual Museum of New France: Louis Hennepin