How Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Kinda Founded Chicago (It's a Bit More Complicated Than That)
The Man, the Myth, the Legend (and the Wild Onions)
Okay, history buffs, gather 'round! Today, we're diving deep into the story of how Chicago came to be. And no, it wasn't founded by a bunch of deep-dish pizza-loving aliens (though that would be a way cooler story). The real OG of Chicago was a dude named Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Now, before you start picturing a French guy in a powdered wig planting a flag and yelling "I claim this land for France!", let's pump the brakes a bit.
A Humble Beginning (and Maybe Some Fur Trading)
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was born somewhere around the 1740s, possibly in Haiti. His dad was French, and his mom was likely of African descent. So, this guy was a total trailblazer from the get-go! He eventually made his way to the Great Lakes region, which was basically the wild west of the 1700s. And that's where our story gets interesting.
The Chicago Starter Pack: A Cabin, a Wife, and a Whole Lotta Hustle
Sometime around the 1780s, Point du Sable set up shop near the mouth of the Chicago River. It wasn't exactly a bustling metropolis back then. More like a swampy area with a lot of wild onions (hence the Native American name for the area, "Eschecagou," which basically means "land of the smelly onions"). But Point du Sable saw potential! He built a cabin, married a Potawatomi woman named Kittihawa, and started a trading post. He was basically the first dude to say, "Hey, this place could be something!"
Not Exactly a One-Man Show (Let's Give Credit Where Credit's Due)
Now, here's the thing about history: it's never as simple as it seems. Point du Sable was definitely a key player in Chicago's early days, but he wasn't the only one. Native American tribes had been living in the area for centuries, and they were a huge part of the story. Plus, other traders and settlers came along later and helped Chicago grow into the city we know and love today. So, while Point du Sable is often called the "founder of Chicago," it's more accurate to say he was the first permanent non-Native settler and a major catalyst for the city's development.
The Mystery of the Missing Recognition (and the Rise of John Kinzie)
For a long time, Point du Sable's contributions to Chicago's history were kind of swept under the rug. Instead, a guy named John Kinzie, who came along later, got a lot of the credit. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that people started to realize, "Wait a minute, this dude Point du Sable was kind of a big deal!" And now, he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. Better late than never, right?
FAQ: How to Be a Chicago Founder (in 5 Easy Steps)
- How to build a trading post: First, find a swampy area with a lot of wild onions. Then, build a cabin. Boom! You're in business.
- How to make friends with the locals: Marry a Potawatomi woman. That's a good start.
- How to become a legend: Be a total boss at trading and entrepreneurship. And maybe have a cool name like "Point du Sable."
- How to get your story told: Wait a few centuries for people to realize how awesome you were. It might take a while.
- How to get a street named after you: Be patient. Eventually, people will come around.
So, there you have it, folks! The story of how Chicago kinda got founded. It's a tale of adventure, entrepreneurship, and a whole lot of wild onions. And it's a reminder that history is always more interesting when you dig a little deeper.
