Our history of Chicago begins in the late 18th century with the enterprising spirit of a peaceful man from Saint-Dominque. Born a free black man in what is now Haiti to a Haitian mother and French pirate, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable was educated in France at a Catholic school before moving with his friend, Jacques Clamorgan, to New Orleans to become a fur-trader. Here the two adventurous young men met a native of the Great Lakes named Choctaw who was doing missionary work in the south. Du Sable and Clamorgan followed Choctaw north to the marshy area at the mouth of the Chicago River. The area had wonderful waterways that lead both to Lake Michigan as well as to the Mississippi Rivers, providing abundant means of travel. The lands were hearty for livestock near the water, and farming inland. In 1779, du Sable built a home here, which is recognized as the first permanent non-indigenous settlement in the area. What began as a simple cabin, turned into a trading post, and then expanded into a community with a school, store, church and docks that invited more people to this growing community. He continued his work as a fur trader and lived peacefully among the natives, earning great respect. One day while he and Choctaw were out trapping, they were approached by Chief Pontiac who was a very impressive leader at the time. Pontiac called upon du Sable to help broker a peace treaty between the Ottowa, Miami and Illinois tribes. He was successful, earning him a place in the Potowatomi tribe where he became known as "Black Chief" and took the eagle as his tribal symbol. Becoming a member of the tribe also allowed for him to marry a Pottowatomi woman named Kittihawa, which means "flight of feet." Although du Sable moved away to Missouri, he is honored and remembered throughout the city of Chicago with the Du Sable Museum of African American History, Du Sable Leadership Academy, Du Sable Park, and the site where his home once stood has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable died in 1818, the year Illinois became a state, leaving behind a proud legacy of peace and prosperity among all peoples in the region.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Summer 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
This color coordinated collection of fashion fabrics was first featured in our Vogue Fabrics By Mail Summer 2010 catalog of swatches. Subscribe to receive home delivery of these catalogs every other month.
