Father Marquette National Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Father Marquette National Memorial |
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 Father Marquette National Memorial
Location in the United States
Father Marquette National Memorial
Location in Michigan
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| Location | St. Ignace, Michigan, USA |
| Nearest city | Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
| Area | 52 acres (21 ha) |
| Established | December 20, 1975 |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
Father Marquette National Memorial is a special place that honors the life of Jacques Marquette. He was a French priest and explorer. This memorial is found in Straits State Park, close to St. Ignace, in the state of Michigan. Marquette started a Jesuit mission here in 1671. He was also buried here in 1678. There used to be a museum building at the memorial. Sadly, it was destroyed in a fire on March 9, 2000.
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Who Was Father Marquette?
Jacques Marquette arrived in New France in 1666. This area is now part of Canada and the United States. He helped create Michigan's first European settlements. These were at Sault Ste. Marie in 1668 and St. Ignace in 1671. St. Ignace is near Mackinac Island.
Marquette lived among the Great Lakes Native American tribes. He was with them from 1666 until he passed away in 1675. During these nine years, he learned several native languages. This helped him communicate well with the local people.
Exploring the Mississippi River
Father Marquette joined Louis Jolliet on an important trip. They wanted to find a way to the Pacific Ocean. This journey led them to discover the Mississippi River for the French. Their expedition explored many rivers. These included the Fox River, the Mississippi River (as far as Arkansas), the Illinois River, and the Chicago River.
They did not go all the way to the mouth of the Mississippi River. This was because of unfriendly tribes and a fear of meeting Spanish settlers.
In October 1674, Marquette started another mission trip. He became very sick by the end of the year. He passed away near Ludington, Michigan while trying to return to St. Ignace. His grave was later found in downtown St. Ignace. It is near the Ojibway Indian Museum on State Street.
What You Can See Today
After the museum building burned down in 2000, the site was rebuilt. Today, the memorial has outdoor exhibits. It also has a fifteen-station interpretive trail. This trail teaches you about Marquette's life. The main building is an open wooden structure. It has kiosks with information for visitors.
How the Memorial is Managed
The Father Marquette National Memorial covers about 52-acre (210,000 m2). The Michigan Department of Natural Resources owns and manages it. It is also connected to the National Park Service. The memorial was officially recognized on December 20, 1975.
Unlike many other national memorials, this one is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More Information
- Michigan.gov: Father Marquette National Memorial
- National Park Service: Father Marquette National Memorial
