HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022 0614 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet DayCITY / RWERD LE
P RO lv L M ((i.' TION
WHEREAS, the City of Riverdale has over the years been under many jurisdictions which are being highlighted this
year as part of a series of proclamations.
WHEREAS, on May 17th, 1673, Father Jaques Marquette and Louis Jolliet set out in two canoes to explore the
Mississippi River departing from what is now St. Ignace, Michigan, traveling along Lake Michigan, down the Fox
River, and portaging into the Wisconsin River.
WHEREAS, one month after they departed, on June 176, 1673, after traveling down the Wisconsin River, they
arrived at the Mississippi River and were likely the first Europeans to ever set foot and lay eyes on Iowa. In the
days that followed, they would travel through what is now Riverdale on their way to their southern most
destination, the mouth of the Arkansas River. After returning north to St. Ignace along the Illinois River, Father
Marquette later returned to Illinois to create a new mission. In 1675, he caught dysentery and died at age 37.
WHEREAS, due to Father Jaques Marquette's and Louis Jolliet's expedition, the first recorded map of the
Mississippi River was created and Europeans and eventually Americans rapidly expanded their exploration and
settlement of the areas that now make up our region and our community.
THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim
that June 17th as
FATHER J Q lUJ S M e R` , J TTE AND _LOU
JOLLIET DAY
In Riverdale, and encourage all staff, residents, and visitors to learn more about the history of the founding of our
region and those who first help establish our community.
Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor
City of Riverdale, Iowa
https://www.americanjourneys.org/aj-051/summary/