Father Jacques Marquette

Father Jacques Marquette, also known as Pe’re Marquette (1637-1675) was a Jesuit missionary from France. In addition to his religious mission, he also explored the Great Lakes area and the upper Mississippi River with Louis Joliet. They were among the first Europeans to see much of the northern Midwest that would later develop into a dynamic area for fur trade. The English would later arrive and compete with the French for territory and business. That competition would ultimately result in the French and Indian War.

During Marquette’s travels, he founded missions, converted Native Americans and funneled information about the territory and tribes back to France. He made such an impact on the history of the area that his name is seen time and again today as the name of cities and towns in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa.

Marquette is the largest city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is the county seat for Marquette County. It is located on the coast of Lake Superior and is the home to Northern Michigan University. Marquette offers fantastic scenery, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing,
dog sledding,
and more.
Visitors can see huge lake freighters as they off-load coal and load iron ore before departing to the lower lakes. Marquette is a beautiful city and well worth a visit.

Father Marquette established the first European settlement in modern day Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. He lived among the Indians there and at nearby St. Ignace and on Mackinac Island.

The Father Marquette National Memorial is located at Straits State Park in
St. Ignace, Michigan.
The park was established in 1924 and modernized in 1940s and 1950s. The park offers over 200 campsites and accommodates tents and travel trailers.
Campers will enjoy magnificent views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac.

Mackinac Island pays tribute to the great explorer with a large statue in the center of a park that bears his name. Marquette Park is located across the street from the Mackinac yacht basin and below
Fort Mackinac.
It is a pleasant green area where tourists can rest between exploring the Island and eating fudge.

Read more about Mackinac Island History