La Baye facts for kids

La Baye was an early settlement in what is now Wisconsin, USA. It started as a small trading post in 1634. A trading post was like a special shop where European traders and Native American people exchanged goods.

The French explorer Jean Nicolet set up this first trading post. It was located on a bay called Baie des Puants, which means "Stinking Bay." Later, Nicolas Perrot continued the work Nicolet had begun.

Early History of La Baye

French Beginnings

In 1671, a group of priests called the Jesuits built a mission here. Missions were places where priests lived and taught about their religion. This mission helped the settlement grow.

Later, in 1717, a fort was built. It was called Fort La Baye. Forts were important for protection and trade in those times. The town of La Baye officially became a town in 1754.

Change to British Control

La Baye was under French control for many years. But after a big war called the Seven Years' War, things changed. In 1761, the British took control of the area. They renamed the settlement Green Bay. This is the name it still has today.

Who Lived in La Baye?

First Settlers

By 1718, some families lived near the fort. These families were often Métis. Métis people have both Native American and European (often French) ancestors. They formed a unique culture.

Other families settled across the river from the fort. This area was called Munnomonee. It was named after the Menominee Native American people who lived there.

Growth of the Community

More people with European backgrounds started settling in La Baye around 1763. One of the first leaders of this new settlement was Charles Michel de Langlade. His father was French-Canadian, and his mother was from the Odawa Native American group.

Many of these new families came from the Mackinac area. This shows how people moved around and connected different settlements.

Population in the 1800s

By 1816, about 40 families lived in La Baye. Most of them were Métis. They were a mix of French, Odawa, or other Native American groups. Often, one spouse was from a different background than the other.

In the summer of 1820, a visitor named Henry Schoolcraft estimated that about 500 people lived in La Baye. Most of these people were Métis or part of Métis families. This shows how important the Métis community was to the history of La Baye.