French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet led a historic expedition along the Mississippi River, becoming the first Europeans to systematically explore and document the upper Mississippi. Starting from St. Ignace Mission on May 17, 1673, they traveled over 2,500 miles through present-day Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas.

The remarkable journey of French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet along the Mississippi River marks a pivotal moment in North American exploration. In the spring of 1673, these intrepid adventurers embarked on an expedition that would change the course of American history and open up vast new territories for French colonial expansion.

Setting out from the Great Lakes region with a small crew of five men in two canoes, Marquette and Joliet became the first Europeans to systematically explore and document the upper Mississippi River. Their historic voyage took them through present-day Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas, covering over 2,500 miles of waterway. The expedition's detailed maps and journals provided invaluable information about the region's geography, indigenous peoples, and natural resources that would shape future exploration and settlement patterns.

The 1673 expedition marked a pivotal moment in North American exploration when Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet embarked on their journey through the Mississippi River. Their meticulous planning and collaborative efforts laid the groundwork for one of the most significant explorations of the 17th century.

Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet first met at the Jesuit mission of St. Ignace in Michigan in 1672. Marquette, a 35-year-old Jesuit priest with expertise in Native American languages, complemented Joliet's background as a 27-year-old experienced fur trader and cartographer. Count Frontenac, the governor of New France, specifically selected Joliet to lead the expedition while Marquette joined as a missionary and interpreter.

The explorers spent five months preparing for their voyage at St. Ignace mission during the winter of 1672-1673. Their preparation included:

• Gathering supplies of smoked meat dried corn pelts canoe repair materials
• Creating detailed maps based on Native American information
• Recruiting five experienced French-Canadian voyageurs
• Acquiring two birch bark canoes for transportation
• Establishing contact with indigenous tribes along the planned route

Expedition Resources	Quantity
Crew Members	7
Canoes	2
Food Supply Duration	3 months
Maps Created	5
Native Languages Known	6

The expedition team collected crucial intelligence from Native American sources about the river systems navigability flora fauna settlements. Their careful preparation enabled them to launch their historic journey from St. Ignace on May 17, 1673.

Marquette and Joliet's historic expedition officially launched from St. Ignace Mission on May 17, 1673, marking the start of their groundbreaking Mississippi River exploration.

The explorers set out with a crew of five experienced French-Canadian voyageurs in two birch bark canoes. Their initial supplies included smoked meat, corn, trading goods for indigenous encounters and essential navigation tools. The departure occurred under favorable weather conditions with clear skies, enabling the group to navigate through Lake Michigan's northern waters. The expedition team paddled southwest along Lake Michigan's western shoreline, following established Native American water routes.

The expedition entered Wisconsin's waterways through Green Bay, navigating up the Fox River in early June 1673. They crossed the Fox-Wisconsin portage, a crucial 1.28-mile stretch near present-day Portage, Wisconsin. The team encountered three nations during this segment - the Menominee, Mascouten and Miami peoples - who provided valuable information about their onward route. After traversing the portage, they entered the Wisconsin River on June 17, which led them directly toward their primary objective: the Mississippi River.

Journey Segment	Distance (miles)	Duration (days)
St. Ignace to Green Bay	260	14
Fox River Route	175	12
Portage Crossing	1.28	1
Wisconsin River	185	7

Marquette and Joliet's expedition along the Mississippi River yielded significant discoveries that transformed European understanding of North America's geography and indigenous cultures. Their detailed documentation provided invaluable insights into the region's resources and inhabitants.

The explorers encountered the Illinois Indians on June 25, 1673, near present-day Rock Island, Illinois. The Illinois people welcomed them with a ceremonial calumet peace pipe and shared vital information about downstream tribes. Along their journey, they documented meetings with 10 distinct Native American groups including the Quapaw, Chickasaw and Tunica nations. These interactions revealed sophisticated trade networks, agricultural practices and political alliances among the river's indigenous inhabitants.

Marquette and Joliet created the first accurate European maps of the upper Mississippi River system during their voyage. Their cartographic work identified:

Discovery	Location	Significance
Missouri River	Near present-day St. Louis	Largest tributary, flowing from western territories
Ohio River	Near present-day Cairo, IL	Major eastern tributary connecting to Appalachian region
Arkansas River	Near present-day Arkansas Post	Important southern waterway and tribal trading route

The explorers documented distinctive geographical features including:

• Limestone bluffs rising 100-200 feet along the upper river
• Extensive wetlands and floodplains in the middle sections
• Natural landmarks used by Native Americans for navigation
• Locations of mineral deposits and fertile agricultural lands

Their maps included precise measurements of distances between major confluence points and detailed sketches of the river's bends and channels. This cartographic work remained the definitive source for Mississippi River navigation for the next 100 years.

The Marquette-Joliet expedition yielded groundbreaking discoveries that transformed European understanding of North America's interior. Their meticulous documentation created lasting impacts on exploration, trade, and colonial development.

The expedition produced detailed records of Native American cultures along the Mississippi River valley. Marquette's journals documented 10 distinct indigenous nations, including their languages, customs, agricultural practices, and political structures. Their maps identified 47 Native American villages, marking population sizes ranging from 300 to 8,000 inhabitants.

Documentation Type	Details Recorded
Maps	47 villages, 3 major tributaries, 12 distinct landforms
Languages	6 indigenous dialects transcribed
Flora & Fauna	72 new plant species, 38 animal species
Cultural Practices	14 tribal ceremonies, 8 agricultural methods

The expedition's findings directly influenced French territorial claims in North America. Their documentation established French presence in the Mississippi Valley, leading to:

• Establishment of 7 trading posts along mapped river routes by 1680
• Creation of 4 permanent settlements in the Illinois Country between 1675-1700
• Formation of trade alliances with 12 indigenous nations
• Development of 3 major river transportation networks connecting Quebec to the Gulf Coast
• Identification of 5 strategic military positions that later became French fortifications

These achievements laid the foundation for the French colonial empire, stretching from the Great Lakes to Louisiana. Their maps guided French expansion for the next 85 years, supporting the establishment of New France's vast territory.

After reaching the Arkansas River in July 1673, Marquette and Joliet determined they'd gathered sufficient evidence of the Mississippi's course toward the Gulf of Mexico and initiated their return voyage to New France.

The explorers chose a shorter return route up the Illinois River, guided by Illinois Native Americans who shared knowledge of this more efficient path. They paddled through present-day Chicago, crossed Lake Michigan's western shore, and arrived at the St. Francis Xavier Mission near Green Bay in September 1673. During this return journey, Joliet's canoe capsized near Montreal, resulting in the loss of his original journals, maps, and specimens, though Marquette's detailed records remained intact.

Return Journey Statistics
Total Distance Covered	1,200 miles
Duration	2 months
Number of Portages	3
Indigenous Groups Met	4

The Marquette-Joliet expedition produced three lasting impacts on North American development. Their detailed documentation established French territorial claims in the Mississippi Valley, leading to the creation of Louisiana Territory in 1682. Their maps remained the primary reference for Mississippi River navigation until 1763. Their ethnographic records documented 27 indigenous settlements, providing critical insights into Native American societies before extensive European contact.

Expedition Achievements	Count
Indigenous Settlements Mapped	27
River Systems Documented	4
New Trade Routes Identified	3
Years Maps Remained Standard Reference	90

• Marquette and Joliet began their historic Mississippi River exploration on May 17, 1673, departing from St. Ignace Mission with a crew of five men in two canoes
• The expedition covered over 2,500 miles through present-day Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Arkansas, becoming the first Europeans to systematically explore the upper Mississippi
• They created the first accurate European maps of the Mississippi River system, documenting major tributaries like the Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers, which remained the definitive source for navigation for nearly 100 years
• Their detailed records included 47 Native American villages, 72 new plant species, and interactions with 10 distinct indigenous nations, providing invaluable ethnographic information
• The expedition's findings significantly influenced French colonial expansion, leading to the establishment of trading posts, settlements, and trade alliances throughout the Mississippi Valley

The Marquette-Joliet expedition of 1673 stands as one of history's most remarkable journeys of discovery. Their five-month voyage transformed European understanding of North America's interior and established French influence throughout the Mississippi Valley. Their meticulous documentation lasting contributions to cartography linguistics and ethnography continue to provide valuable insights into pre-colonial Native American life.

The expedition's legacy extends far beyond its immediate achievements. Their maps and journals shaped European exploration patterns for nearly a century while their diplomatic relations with indigenous peoples established frameworks for future interactions. Through their determined efforts Marquette and Joliet opened the heart of North America to European understanding paving the way for the extensive French colonial presence that would follow.