St. Joseph in Berrien County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fort Miami
Photographed By John Garman, August 7, 2021
1. Fort Miami Marker
Inscription.
Fort Miami. . Here in November 1679, on the Miami River, as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer built a fort as a base for his western explorations. Here he awaited the Griffin, the upper lakes' first ship. When the ill-fated vessel did not come he made his way on foot to Canada through lower Michigan's uncharted wilderness. He returned in 1681 to prepare his great push down the Mississippi. A decade later the French built Fort St. Joseph, some 20 miles upriver near Niles.
Here in November 1679, on the Miami River, as the St. Joseph was then called, La Salle, the French explorer built a fort as a base for his western explorations. Here he awaited the Griffin, the upper lakes' first ship. When the ill-fated vessel did not come he made his way on foot to Canada through lower Michigan's uncharted wilderness. He returned in 1681 to prepare his great push down the Mississippi. A decade later the French built Fort St. Joseph, some 20 miles upriver near Niles.
Erected 1957 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6.)
Location. 42° 6.651′ N, 86° 28.943′ W. Marker is in St. Joseph, Michigan, in Berrien County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Boulevard and Ship Street, on the right when traveling south on Lake Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Joseph MI 49085, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Joseph's Firemen (within shouting distance of this marker); Creating a Harbor (within
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2012. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on April 27, 2013. Photos:1. submitted on October 17, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 2. submitted on April 27, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
