The French colonized Michigan from the early 1600s to around 1760, during which time they established several forts across the region. Fort de Baude and Father Marquette's Mission in present-day St. Ignace served as an early missionary outpost. Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit) controlled the Detroit River trade route and became a major commercial hub. Fort Miami in present-day St. Joseph guarded the portage between the St. Joseph River and the Kankakee River. Fort Michilimackinac in present-day Mackinaw City was an important military and trading post that later became a British garrison. Fort St. Joseph in present-day Niles helped control the St. Joseph

1. French Forts inMichigan Name______________________________
The French colonizedMichiganfromthe early1600’s to around1760. Duringthat time theysetup
several forts. Foreach of the followingforts, writewhatit’s purpose was,andone ortwo significant
eventsthattookplace there (while underFrenchcontrol).
Fort de Baude and Father Marquette’sMissioninSt. PresentDaySt. Ignace
Fort Ponchartrain(or Fort Detroit) inpresentdayDetroit
http://www.historydetroit.com/
Ft. Miami inpresentdaySt.Joseph
Ft. Michlimakinacin presentdayMackinaw City
http://www.mackinacparks.com/colonial-michilimackinac/
Ft. St. Josephin presentdayNiles
http://www.wmich.edu/fortstjoseph/about-fort/history.html