Detail of a map of land claimed by France for King Louis XV

Detail of a map of land claimed by France for King Louis XV and the route of the Mississippi River (Carte de la Louisiane et du cours du Mississippi), 1718. Map by Guillaume de L'Isle, published by Chez l'Auteur. The map shows three French fur trading forts, labeled “Vieux forts,” just below the label “Saut de S. Antoine” (S.t Anthony Falls, Minneapolis). Two of them were likely trading posts built by Le Sueur (1695 and 1700). The third remains a mystery. Ten years later a fourth fort would be built at the site of Frontenac. The Root River is listed as “R. aux Ecors.” The Prairie du Chien area is at the mouth of the Wisconsin River, listed as “Ouisconsing R.” From this river to the west is the “Chemin des Voyageurs”—the Voyageurs’ Trail—ending at a large “Aiaouez” (Ioway; Bahkhoje) village whose residents traded buffalo products and pipestone with Europeans. From the maps collection of the MInnesota Historical Society, St. Paul (G3700 1718 .L5 Reserve 4F).