Newburgh in Warrick County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

La Belle Riviere

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2022

1. La Belle Riviere Marker

Inscription. You are overlooking a river that once belonged to France. While the name Ohio comes from the Iroquois word oyo, to the French it was La Belle Riviere – the Beautiful River. This plaque honors three adventurous Frenchmen. The first, Jacques Cartier, explored the St. Lawrence River in 1535 and discovered Canada. His esprit aventurier made New France possible. The second, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de Lasalle, was probably the first European to see the Ohio River in 1669. By 1682, he had also explored the Mississippi and claimed the territory drained by both rivers for his Bourbon king. The third, Francois Rene Chateaubriand, floated past these unpeopled riverbanks in 1791 and in the process found himself thus inspired. He rose from obscurity to become L'enchanteur Enchante, the world famous romantic author.

Erected 1994 by Les Amis de la Belle Riviere (Friends of the Beautiful River).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1535.

Location. 37° 56.673′ N, 87° 24.527′ W. Marker is in Newburgh, Indiana, in Warrick County. It is on West Water Street west of Madison Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 W Water St, Newburgh IN 47630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region

and in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. James R. Tillman House (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicholas Schuetz House (within shouting distance of this marker); Professor Durgin Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Weis House (about 300 feet away); Darby-Cook House (about 300 feet away); Dr. William P. Thompson House (about 300 feet away); Newburgh Light and Water Co. (about 300 feet away); St. John the Baptist Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburgh.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2022

2. La Belle Riviere Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,284 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.