Westown in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Father Marquette's Camp - 1674

Photographed by Paul F, circa September 25, 2009

1. Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 Marker

North side of marker. (Double sided)

Inscription. Father Jacques Marquette, the French Jesuit missionary who with Sieur Louis Jolliet discovered and first explored the upper Mississippi in 1673, stayed on this site November 23-27, 1674. Marquette, with two French Canadians, Pierre Porteret and Jacques Largillier, was returning south to open a mission requested by the Illinois Indians. They were the first known white men to visit this site.

Erected 1973 by Wisconsin Council for Local History. (Marker Number 103.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 1674.

Location. 43° 2.502′ N, 87° 54.822′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Westown. It is at the intersection of West Kilbourn Avenue and North Plankinton Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Kilbourn Avenue. Marker is located in Milwaukee's Pere Marquette Park, along the Milwaukee River. The site is adjacent to the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milwaukee WI 53203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

: Pere Jacques Marquette, S.J. (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Pere Jacques Marquette, S.J. (a few steps from this marker); A German Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); An Outdoor Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of the American League (within shouting distance of this marker); Pere Marquette Historic Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Milwaukee River at Play (about 500 feet away); Red Lights on the River (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

More about this marker. Father Marquette's Camp is Wisconsin Registered Landmark #103.

Photographed by Paul F, circa September 25, 2009

2. Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 Marker

South side of marker (Double sided)

Photographed by Paul F, circa September 25, 2009

3. Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 Marker

Marker as seen from across Kilbourn Avenue looking north. Milwaukee County Historical Society is on left.

Photographed by Paul F, January 1, 2008

4. Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 Marker

Looking west along Kilbourn Avenue with marker on the right and Milwaukee County Historical Society in background.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 5, 2021

5. Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 Marker

This view of the marker includes a statue of Marquette in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,141 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on November 4, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.