May 21, 1696

King Louis XIV ordered France’s western Great Lakes outposts destroyed.

Hoping to cut costs and influenced by the Jesuits who want to Christianize the Native Americans without the negative influences of the fur traders, King Louis XIV orders France’s western outposts closed. The king’s orders are largely ignored and within a few years the French found Detroit.

Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past.  See more here.