On the Fringe of the French Empire: Fort de Chartres

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Several have mentioned that I both confused and mispronounced the Sainte-Marie Sault where Jacques Cartier thought he was near China. The rapids he ran into were near Montreal, not Michigan. Apparently I was as lost as he was. I apologize for the error. To be clear though- he was a long way from China. Some have asked about the success of John Law’s financing scheme. In brief, he oversold shares and created one of the world’s first real-estate bubbles. The bubble collapsed and he was forced to flee France.

[@marknesselhaus4376]

That's OK, I knew what you were getting at :-) I learn so much from this channel at my retired age ;-)

[@peregrine3695]

The rapids are called Lachine, which was in some ways even worse, implying China..... and the name Cattier is pronounced Car-Shay..... just sayin'

[@garysanning3208]

LoL

[@sammyseguin2978]

Lachine, apparently from the French term la Chine (China), is often said to have been named in 1667, in mockery of its then owner René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle, who explored the interior of North America trying to find a passage to China. When he returned without success, he and his men were derisively named les Chinois (the Chinese). The name was adopted when the parish of Saints-Anges-de-la-Chine was created in 1676, with the form Lachine appearing with the opening of a post office in 1829. An alternative etymology attributes the name to the famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who also hoped to find a passage from the Saint Lawrence River to China. According to this version, in 1618 Champlain proposed that a customs house would tax the trade goods from China passing this point, hence the name Lachine.

[@djolley61]

There ARE rapids at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on the St. Mary's River that connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron (and indirectly Lake Michigan) making it necessary to for the Soo Locks to be built to facilitate navigation between the two lakes. Watching the lake boats transit the locks is like watching a sky scraper move horizontally down a street. :)

[@dirtcop11]

The fort was never captured...by men, but the Mighty Mississippi took it down. I lived less than a mile from the Mississippi for the first 9 years of my life. As a small boy in 1958, I watched as the water crept out of its banks and oozed ever closer to my hometown. I learned to respect, and fear, nature that year.

[@JosephOlson-ld2td]

"Rising Tide" by John M Barry > 150 years of Army Corp of Engineers failures on the Mississippi

[@Cory_Springer]

I've walked across the rocks left side Lake Itasca, the Mississippi on the right. Rivers are wild creature.

[@114927jarka]

I love how much you cover illinois history! Thank you for telling people that illinois isnt just Chicago and corn!

[@sarahd2800]

Yes!!

[@09smitel]

As one of the reenactors portraying a French Marine at Fort de Chartres (FYI my unit, including myself, is pictured multiple times in this video and the thumbnail) this is perhaps the most in depth, not to mention up-to-date, description of the fort’s history that I’ve seen in a long time; and I thank you deeply for it. However, I’d like to point out a potential reason as to why the fort is located where it is. The French settlements located in the Mid-Mississippi River Valley constituted the only cluster of European settlements between Canada and the Gulf Coast. Fort de Chartres was strategically located at a sort-of halfway point between the fore-mentioned regions. As well, just for the sake of mentioning, the soldiers garrisoned at the fort were Marines. Since the French navy was placed in charge of colonial security. French colonial troops in North America were classified as Marines. Army regiments would not appear in Canada until the beginning of the French and Indian War.

[@Ammo08]

I live in Southeast Missouri, there are so many places close by with French and Spanish names. Up north of us is Ste. Genevieve, MO. From Cape Girardeau to the north you can definitely see the French influence in names.

[@fload46d]

Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Doctor!! One minor note, les voyageurs did not always marry with native women. They were usually very busy during their virile years in going about hauling freight in the canots. Les courreurs du bois were the ones who usually "married" native women.

[@DomTV2010]

A couple of my ancestors resided at Fort de Chartres. One of them was a physician - Dr. Rene Roy, whose descendants reside in Louisiana. Most of my French ancestors would arrive in New Orleans and eventually settle in what is now Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.

[@benn454]

I grew up less than 5 miles from Fort de Chartres. I remember the curtain wall being rebuilt and playing in the foundations of the original buildings, which were nearly buried by over two centuries such that they were hardly higher than a single step. They have since been dug out and rebuilt. I remember going to the Rendezvous every year and seeing all the reenacters and making paper kites and dipping wax to make candles. I moved away after the Great Flood of 93 and haven't been back since. This brings back a lot of childhood memories and makes me want to go back to see how it's doing today. Thanks, History Guy.

[@Silkstep]

I live about a 30 minute drive from the fort, and enjoy many of the rendezvous held there each year. Artisans, food and drink, and history that will excite you as it comes alive. Worth checking out.

[@matthewanderson4593]

Sassafras root beer and good times. I live in Belleville and try to get to the rendezvous every year. Its a bummer they didn't have one this year.

[@charlesweber4419]

As a French and Indian war reenactor and 20+ year living historian, thank you for this one.

[@INSANESUICIDE]

What I appreciate most about you is how you are genuine about history deserving to be remembered, it cannot be overstated in its importance. You do everyone a great service by keeping obscure history alive and spreading it more. And for that, I salute you.

[@bucheronix]

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Canadiens (french-canadians) were everywhere in the Wild West, from Détroit to Les Dalles in Oregon, and down to the Rivière Canadienne in Texas. When Lewis & Clark arrived in Saint-Louis in 1804, they had to hire a french interpreter. Many Americans, when they get interested in genealogy, are surprized to find french ancestors in their family tree.

[@writerconsidered]

Not in New England, we know our Canadian French ancestry.

[@ryandavis7593]

Yep. Scot, Irish, Native American and of course French. Dutch Welsh but no German. This is what happens when your family are among the first off the boat.

[@chuckhainsworth4801]

Sounds like most of Canadian and Canadien history. They French traders were known as 'courier du bois' (poetically translated as 'runners of the woods') and it has become a rather popular surname. They formed families with Aboriginal women, and settled down to become Metis. A similar settlement pattern followed when the Hudson's Bay Company arrived on the scene, with their mostly Scottish workers.

[@bucheronix]

@@chuckhainsworth4801 'Coureur des bois' ; not 'courier du bois' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coureur_des_bois

[@mstewart3711]

Live about 30 minutes from there in Chester, Illinois (Home of Popeye). Used to bring propane to the grounds keepers building. Glad you pronounce it correctly. Everyone around here calls it Fort Charters. Its very well kept and they even found a foundation of an even OLDER fort nearby.

[@henrycomputer1403]

Me too.

[@krispeterson1021]

Might of been set up to fight the Giants

[@16v15]

Welcome to the midwest. Butchery of French nomenclature is standard equipment.

[@benn454]

@@16v15 German, too.

[@Mitch62918]

I grew up east of Carbondale, IL and we called it Fort Charters. Also, Prairie Du Rocher, we added the "R" to the end. BTW.. the town of Cairo, where the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers meet is pronounced Karo, like the syrup.

[@mbrant4973]

Although I have a general knowledge of history, I love these videos because they provide insight into the details of certain historical events I would have never thought even remotely interesting....until now.

[@petchy9088]

Well they are full of shit. Everything you herd is bullshit. That was a star fort and it much old than 300 years. Think suppressed technology, and look it up.

[@aarondesrochers3890]

I'm descended from Missouri French, and can assure you that relations between the French and Native Americans were extremely friendly. My DNA test revealed a significant percentage of Native American DNA in me.

[@FOR_THE_Pascal.]

Nice man @ De la Roche. Upper Louisiana fed most of New Orleans back then. I didn't even now you existed up until a year ago. I'm a Franco-ontarien !

[@johndesherlia264]

Aaron, likewise, I am a direct descendant of a French Canadian Family who came down from A town by the name of Louiseville which is near Trois-Rivieres, halfway between Quebec City and Montreal. they settled first near Florissant here in the Saint Louis area, then around 1826, moved across the River to what is now Calhoun County where they settled. My 3X Great Uncle even married a Kaskaskia Indian woman and also involved in the fur trade. My 3X Grandfather also married 3x - 1/ Died & buried in Florissant. 2/ Married a Lady from Vincennes. 3X married a local French woman from Saint Louis. And that is just the beginning.

[@orwellboy1958]

My monday afternoon appointment with the History Guy.

[@garretvaughn7936]

Amidst all the Covid-19 and rioting that dominates the news feeds and social media, your content is a welcome break and a breath of fresh air! Thank you, sir, for what you do to help raise humanity up during these trying times!

[@BELCAN57]

"Pirates and Cannibals" A future shirt perhaps?

[@TheHerbdude]

Cannibal Pirates. They steal your booty and then they eat it.

[@billrentz]

@@TheHerbdude Next episode: The History of the Rump Roast.

[@robertbergren8680]

It better be a puffy shirt.

[@davidmeyer3795]

I remember playing down there all the time as a kid. It was so cool to run around the old fort

[@benn454]

Me too. Lived about 5 miles down Stringtown Rd from it.

[@grammeb719]

My sons and then my granddaughters played there all the time. Military and then Princesses.

[@baileybrunson42]

You should come to Alabama and visit Ft. Toulouse at Wetumpka.. it was De Chartres little brother on the Eastern border of French Louisiana (c.1715-1763). Hope to see you there soon..!

[@spuwho]

I was not aware of Ft Toulouse. Thanks for sharing this.

[@chrissanders541]

we have Bald Knob Cemetery up here in Boone County Arkansas it has French & Spanish Graves dating back to the late 1600's. now i haven't been up there sense i was ah teenager but it was a cool place to go see growing up. it's on the boarder of Newton Co. & Boone Co. up on a hill overlooking Clear Creek in the middle of a farmers field. This is a photo looking west towards the Boat Mountain arkansasgravestones.org/view.php?id=68511

[@denknugz87]

thanks for sharing this

[@matthewanderson4593]

There's a Bald Knob in Illinois also. It has a giant cross on it.

[@FOR_THE_Pascal.]

As a french Canadian I can't get enough of this forgotten history. There's probably still old folks who speak French around the Ozark mines in Missouri.

[@ritaclark591]

Congratulations, you, Sir are as far as I know the first U. S. citizen to admit there was history in North America before the U. S. revolution. The French went on to contribute a great deal to North American history, from the Canadian Province of Quebec to Cadillac and Chevrolet among others whose names are attached to U. S. items in daily use and the founding of important U.S. cities like Detroit and New Orleans. This continent was explored and claimed by the French, the British and the Spanish and others who worked with or against the native people in this land and your recognition of it is history that deserves to be remembered!

[@13Photodog]

WOW did this catch my eye. The first rendezvous was held in 1970 after being promoted by Joe Akers editor of the Randolph County Herald Tribune, published in Chester. I was a part-time photographer for the weekly paper while attending college about 10 miles north of your home base. As I recall I spent 3 days out there photographing everything that moved. One of the final events then was a canoe race on the Mississippi river from the fort to Kaskaskia. Which was the first state capitol of Illinois and now is west of the river. Joe secured places for himself and me in these 24ft long canoes. Luckily I was in the winning canoe. Joe was in the last place canoe and was told to put his camera down and pick up a paddle. The paper then published an 8 page supplement covering the events with all the photos printed in duo-tone to simulate old sepia color. That was a neat trick as the paper did not have a color press.

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

THG....i must say a huge THANKS for keeping your community feeling like they are "insiders" by maintaining the "pirate" commentaries

[@WaltzingAustralia]

And once again you succeed in reminding us how much stranger and more wonderful history is than what we ever learn in school -- you couldn't make up something like a Scotsman being the French authority in Arkansas. Lovely.

[@rivierstad3817]

I remember going there on several occasions on field trips. Growing up in nearby Belleville there was a lot of history to explore. Thanks History Guy for this episode.

[@bigal7454]

I love visiting there! Might I suggest you do a future episode on Tecumseh or Lewis Wetzel and their adventures in the Ohio River Valley. Also an episode about Captain Brady's leap over the Cuyahoga River would be greatly appreciated. His life should be made into a movie. Keep up your incredible work!

[@randyrick8019]

As a childhood avid reader, I found Zane Grey's books to be captivating. And Wetzel remains one of my favorite early frontier heroes to this day.

[@patmancrowley8509]

THG, My dad and step-mother introduced me to Fort de Chartres back in about 2006. It is a fascinating place to visit and imagine what life was like in and around those walls. Thanks for an interesting episode.

[@bobberceli6874]

History Guy, fascinating. Will share. Thanks for your time and efforts. An old gray grizzled Sourdough in Remote AK, Bob.

[@kenthawley5990]

I love when you do these regional pieces, and I love when pieces about how things begin. Fort de Chartres is definitely History That Needs to Be Remembered.

[@pagamenews]

This channel is pure gold. I spent 12 years being educated in the public school system and another 4 years in college...and this is history that was never taught in the classrooms or textbooks. School districts with their multi-million dollar budgets don't do this good of a job of "educating" Just saying.

[@Jedikun]

Love that a lot of the history you cover comes out of the interior of the US. So many historians and KZbin channels ignore the AMerican Heartland

[@waynevreeland3141]

Even they call it "flyover country"

[@dancingwiththedarkness3352]

Pirate/cannibals make you walk the plank into the deep fryer.

[@ezragonzalez8936]

The story of George Westinghouse next History Guy!! He was probably the only genuinely good hearted industrialist and inventor of the early 19th century a genius thatt is overlooked unfairly a overshadow by Edison whose. Character was dubious at best .. thank you for shining a light into stories long obscured by time!!!

[@f3xpmartian]

"Release men from prison, on the promise that they would marry a prostitute and move to Louisiana." 1. Did any take that offer? 2. Wonder if Elon Musk will have to do similar methods to get people to go to Mars... 😉

[@The105ODST]

New Orleans never changed.

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

1. Did any bloody DENY that offer? 2. Why would he? People are almost running his doors in NOW before anything actually COULD happen. If he takes 5 million per one way ticket there still will be a waiting list and they can pick just the cream of the physically and mentally fit applicants and will have leftovers... People would upend their whole existenceon earth for that chance and with only a few hundred or maybe couple of thousand slots you can bet it will be more than enough to just take applications.

[@arachnonixon]

what little I know about about conditions in French prisons at that time, I'd take that deal in a heartbeat

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

Thanks for the laugh....I needed that !

[@michaelporzio7384]

A wife with a profession and a steady income was rare in those days.

[@racerxfile]

My father took me here in the late 1970s...and I chaperoned my daughter's field trip to the fort some 30 years later. It's a fascinating drive, down off the bluff and onto the flat flood plain on a small county blacktop that seems to be taking you the "long way" to get there. I need to go back soon.

[@technosaurus3805]

I grew up in Southern Illinois and your videos like this one help me remember my history long after I have moved to greener pastures. Thanks for keeping it alive.

[@railgap]

I did historical re-enactment (for the public) at Fort de Chartres when I was a kid in the 70s; it was a major annual "rendezvous" event and a really good time for the re-enactors.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

This is a KZbin channel. That deserves, to be remembered.

[@thomaswilson517]

Thank you for making the trip downriver to Randolph County where Illinois began. Good to hear the recounting of my boyhood playground and where I first got the taste of Rondezvous fifty years ago. Family all around there .net

[@michaelpeters2490]

I was born in northern Illinois and spent the first 40 years of my life in Illinois, Wisconsin,Minnesota, and that surrounding area and I've learned a great deal about that region from the history guy. Thank you so much for the education!!!

[@southilgurl2003]

Loved going through the fort!

[@stevedietrich8936]

Thanks for another interesting video.

[@henrycomputer1403]

Was down there the other day. It's a nice ride along the bluff road. And Lisa's has the best food. There is also a nice bed and breakfast with some really nice old woodwork

[@benn454]

Used to go down to Lisa's about once a week when I last lived in the area about 20 years ago. Glad to hear things haven't changed.

[@jimp6542]

I love watching each little snippet of history you present here. I like history in general.

[@scobbydoo773]

I have asked before and because of the anniversary, as well as the current conditions in the US, I find it fitting to ask you again about doing a video on the Tulsa Race Riot Of 1921.

[@terryoneill9525]

I LOVE MY HISTORY STORYS THANK YOU FROM THE UK

[@soulscanner66]

2:12 Cartier planted the cross on the Baie des Chaleurs while he was exploring the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. He made it up the Saint Lawrence River to rapids near Montreal that he named the Lachine Rapids, which means China rapids.

[@HweolRidda]

That is to say, he never got close to the Sault Ste Marie (St Marie Rapids).

[@darianrose2195]

It's loaded with history, a special place for the area and locals are protective of it. The annual Rendezvous is wonderful and if you have $200, you can get married there. My family had attended the Rendezvous for years and my husband's family has been in the activities since his grandparents started. We couldn't believe how lucky we were to have our wedding at a historic sight and barely needed decorations, the old stones do the work for you. Side note, the geography around the fort grounds has changed quite a bit over the centuries. It's location made more sense when a waterway was much closer. In the museum they have a series of maps showing the gradual changes.

[@cav1stlt922]

Wow, after re-watching the video, I suddenly realized the photo at 12:25 was that of Mr. & Mrs. History Guy! What a merry couple you two were!

[@Marimilitarybrat]

I really enjoy The History Guy. Very creative. So well done.

[@silascochran9705]

I enjoy every episode breakfast with the history guy part of my daily routine Horace Devore is still one of my favorites🤠🐕🌈🌄🦅🇺🇸⚓

[@tango6nf477]

I think it is great that you have preserved such a piece of your history. over the years we taken ancient buildings for granted to the point that we have allowed countless to be demolished to make way for car parks, supermarkets and the like. Sadly we have still not learned and continue to do so ignoring the words of the song "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" Janis Joplin, Big yellow taxi. If only this could be history that is remembered!

[@seathrunmagaoinghous4119]

Thank you. This is my family history.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

One measure of a success of a castle is not whether it survives an assault, but whether the enemy decides to risk it.

[@Chaos8282]

Should be there dressed up and camping this weekend, cancelled due to the lockdown sadly. Maybe you can do Fort Massac next. Was married there, to the English Captain who was leading the grenadiers daughter, in the pics of this video lol

[@kimpolansky8780]

Been there. Absolutely fascinating.

[@brucemoore1339]

Right, Canadian guy here. So it's Sault(soo) Saint Marie, and a voyageur was someone of French origin who transported furs by canoe. The children of French and Scottish fur traders and aboriginal women are Metis(may tee), one of three recognized indigenous peoples of Canada.

[@wanderingator]

I grew up in Chester about thirty miles south, the county seat. Fort de Chartres is very much part of the French-influenced culture of the region. You might want to do an episode on the Pierre Menard Home, an existing example of French colonial culture a few miles north of Chester. Pierre Menard was the first Lt. Gov. of Illinois.

[@wanderingator]

Actually, this is her husband Mike who grew up in Chester. Nann is a Gator from Florida.

[@kenrank8489]

Family of Godier settled Kaskaskia in 1703 and here in 2020 my lineage through my father can lay claim too the French heritage both being French with Luis Rank . Luis Rank came from France thru the port of New Orleans in 1846 and settling in Alton , Illinois.

[@BilbusWilbury]

Just visited this place yesterday. My three year old had a blast climbing up the watch tower and generally running amuck. It's great to know a little of the history of the old fort. We also recently visited Fort Massac which was also nice but sadly the buildings remain locked up for safety concerns.

[@tloller52]

I used to really enjoy going to the rendezvous there every year. It was a big one, with lots of people and lots of traders. Great fun! I miss it.

[@paulwallis7586]

Mark Twain had a lot to say on how the Mississippi moves around. Limestone, however, is pretty good, and it's chemically resistant to various types of deterioration. Good to see.

[@patrickdunster1083]

I was stationed at Scott AFB for a few years and never heard of this fort or any French settlements for that matter. It does seem like it’d be a really good reason to take my boys get out there and visit. Speaking of The Seven Years War and French/Indian War, have you and Mrs. History visited Fort William Henry and/or Fort Ticonderoga? You’ll love it!

[@Brian-bp5pe]

Le plus intéressant, Guy d'Histoire!

[@whoareyou1034]

Piece of History: *has pirates & cannibals* The History Guy: "Its free real estate!"

[@lewisharty8801]

Magnificent video! I am tickled that you worked in pirates! I have been to the Rendezvous there at Fort DeChartres twice. I first saw the Fort in 1992, not long after Illinois rebuilt part of the walls. That area is beautiful country. It is not far from current location of Kaskaskia which was the to be the first capital of the State of Illinois.

[@matthewellisor5835]

Happy Monday! Outstanding content, thank you.

[@marvindoolin1340]

I was thrilled to find this in your channel. Until I was nine, my family lived in the mostly German village with a French name, Renault, a few miles up the bluff from the old fort. It was a frequent location for Sunday School picnics. Renault and Fort Chartres, by the way, as well as "Rocher" were not pronounced in any way similar to the French pronunciations. Shortly after WWII the Core of Engineers built a levy that protects "Rocher" and Ft. Chartres, as well as many square miles of farm land in the fertile valley.

[@spartygreen2550]

Born and raised in IL and have never heard about this place. Thank you!

[@williambabbitt7602]

Nice picture of those two tours to look remarkably familiar! Thank you.

[@michaelhawthorne8696]

5:51 Wow... Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne De Bienville... Does he not look the spitten image of Dr Zachary Smith (Johnathan Harris) from the TV series 'Lost in space' 'Oh the pain'

[@mikeakers2043]

i live in ST Louis,i have never heard of this place.the wife and i will have to take a day trip very soon to see it. thank you for this and all your videos.always very enjoyable

[@seanjoseph8637]

The Scots and the French were always close because of their "rivalry" with the English.

[@denknugz87]

Auld Alliance

[@seanjoseph8637]

@djrmarky Proof please...

[@comm2531]

Killing me with that "nothing gets more interesting than PIRATES" That I've seen in several postings by the history guy. I get a good chuckle on that. What a product this guy puts out. Excellent stuff.

[@jamestrueblood1990]

I’m part French American Illinoisan my ancestors have been here for a very long time since Illinois was part of New France

[@howardjohnson2138]

Fascinating - Thank you

[@spuwho]

It was strategic for several reasons. It sat at the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers. It kept British aligned Iroquois from encroaching on New France from the north (see the history of the "Fighting Illini"). It allowed expedient communication with the Illini using the Kaskaskia River. It protected French commercial mining interests across the river in Missouri. It was also a certain distance from the French fort in Memphis. The French had planned for additional fortifications to be built up the Illinois River all the way to the Des Plaines. Because the French government extended from Kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois was also established here until moving to Vandalia (where the national road to St Louis crossed the Kaskaskia River as well) and then Springfield. One has to remember than when Illinois became a territory most of it's GDP was in the southern end of the state. Today it's mostly centered around Chicago. That is why people get the baffled "it's not near anything" remarks. Today it's farmland. Back then it was the formal extension of the French government.

[@wetbobspongepants]

Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet, those of us who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it!

[@tylerfoss3346]

Great job again, HG. Thank you for starting to fill in a largely empty portion of US history, that history driven by France in the 1600s and the 1700s.

[@briangarrow448]

And who says there's no style in Arkansas? A Scottish French Duke is about as stylish as they come.

[@davidrenton]

hmm Deep fat fried escargot with a Iron Bru to top it off.

[@agentm83]

People forget there is a long history between Scotland and France. The Auld Alliance.

[@jst7714]

I dunno, they have Dillard's Department Store too

[@TSemasFl]

@@agentm83 Don't go there, that history is kept for the enlightened.

[@waynevreeland3141]

Yeah, that high falootin' title might cut a rug in Memphis, but could the old boy spit a melon seed worth a damn?

[@dbmail545]

"Only about 700 Europeans in all of New France" That must have been an awesome time!

[@stevejohnson1685]

This is great - nice to learn more about the "blank" Illinois side of the Mississippi south of St. Louis. Would you consider doing a segment on Cave-in-Rock, along the Ohio River, famous for its pirate hideout?

[@patrickduley405]

Wonderful show today. 🇫🇷

[@tmr3513]

I am not sure if anyone has commented it since I haven't read the previous comments but Kaskaskia, Illinois is orphaned now from the rest of the state. The Mississippi river altered its course and that area where the village location is now sits on the west side of the river completely surrounded on three sides by the state of Missouri. Not many people live there.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

We might do an episode on it. Kaskaskia is in a unique position...

[@johndesherlia264]

13 or 14 people actually live in the Village, but on the Island, there's about 30 or so people who live on the Island.

[@ALTruckerDad]

Speaking of Mobile, AL, (named after the region, and tribe of Mauvilla) actually has moved from it's original location. The old site is referring to as 7 mile bluff, and/or Old Mobile. There was a devastating flood that precipitated the relocation.

[@WHix-om4yo]

Indeed! Founded in 1701 and moved in 1711. Lesson: don't build your settlement on a low lying place on a river. Yellow fever really sucks. Cheers!

[@ALTruckerDad]

@@WHix-om4yo yep, Mobile was actually .. mobile. At least once. :) Mobile relocated. New Orleans doubled down.....

[@charlesprokopp276]

In the Mid-Seventies, I participated in rendezvous at the fort, braving the steaming climate and man-eating mosquitoes. Whenever I revisit Illinois, I always stop by to see the progress in restoration.

[@assessor1276]

Yet another excellent tale of times past HG!

[@DJako89]

I enjoyed this bit of local (for me) history. Another interesting bit of this local history is the murder of Chief Pontiac in Cahokia. The native murderers, paid by the British, were tracked to northern IL and trapped on what is now known as "Starved Rock State Park". There are other interesting early American local stories in a book by Carl Baldwin called "Echoes of Their Voices". Thank you for your videos they are very enjoyable.

[@mercator79]

I think I was more blown away by the Scottish man who was the French Duc d'Arkansas than even by the French strategy to colonize the Louisiana territory with prisoners and prozzies. Great history lesson as usual! Merci beaucoups.

[@CharlesinGA]

Excellent, enjoyed it. I have been wanting to visit the area, Southern Illinois is Rich in early history and Native American history. The next time you are in the area, be sure and take the ferry across the Mississippi from Ste. Genevieve, MO, to Prairie du Rocher.

[@douglasleedy]

Great video. We visited the fort while I was stationed at Scott AFB back in 2010. I remember reading about it, but still couldn't figure out what the hell it was doing out there. YOU explained it VERY well. Thank you! Love the videos...keep posting!

[@xvsj-s2x]

Thank You for sharing THG 😉🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@RagingMoon1987]

Love Fort de Chartres! My family used to go on day trips there, and it's amazing.

[@patrickrose1221]

During ww2 my great grandfather was working at the very secret Rolls Royce research establishment in Hucknall - Nottinghamshire at the same time as Franz Von Werra ( a German pow ) tried to steal a Hurricane parked up ready to go, before he was forced to climb out at the end of a pistol barrel. Good film too. Many thanks for all of your amazing stories, peace x

[@NickRatnieks]

The Duke of Arkansas- nearly as unlikely as the Duke of Earl!

[@dirtcop11]

Or, "How a Scotsman became a French Duke of Arkansas." It sounds like a satirical story, but it is true.

[@NickRatnieks]

@@dirtcop11 I don't suppose anybody will celebrate this with song- unlike that old Duke of Earl! "Nothing can stop the Duke of Earl..." kzbin.info/www/bejne/nme4madsbs1rf9U

[@BlameThande]

Metternich was once made the Duke of Texas by the King of Spain - which was almost meaningless at the time as Mexico was already practically independent.

[@mr.k7457]

Or Duke of Nukem

[@robertjackson9601]

Excellent story. Thank you. Really enjoy your videos.

[@danielt.3152]

Good job on this. As you point out, it is remote even today very accurate. I went to several re-enactments rendezvous there. Very cool place. If you ever get a chance to canoe the Mississippi or Illinois river do it.

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks