Last updated: May 26, 2021
Place
River Raisin
Fran Maedel
Quick Facts
Location:
Monroe
Designation:
River
MANAGED BY:
City of Monroe
Amenities
15 listed
Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Dock/Pier, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Playground, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead
RIVER RAISIN History
Why is it called River Raisin?
The River Raisin went by several different names throughout history. Natives called the river Nummasepee, or ‘River of Sturgeon’. The river’s extensive floodplains created extensive sturgeon breeding grounds that fed into Lake Erie. French explorers called it La Rivière aux Raisins (The River with Grapes), because of the wild grapes growing along its banks. The British found it easier just to call it River Raisin.
Early River Raisin settlers were often called “The French”. They were descendants of the original colonists who left France for Canada in the mid-1600s. Over the generations, many French-Canadians moved to Detroit. Finally, many Detroiters with French-Canadian heritage moved to River Raisin. They were French-speakers, faithfully maintaining French cultural traditions, especially their devout Catholicism. So – in the centuries of living in North America, these people were called “The French”. River Raisin settlers were also called habitants, which is French for ‘inhabitants’, and Canadiens, French-speaking settlers of French-Canadian heritage. The Settlement itself was often called “Frenchtown” by non-French speaking outsiders.
Was French the Only Language Spoken at the Settlement?
Definitely not! The non-Native settlers were vastly outnumbered by Native people living in the area. In the early days, the most successful communicators at River Raisin spoke French, at least one Native language, and maybe some English. Hundreds of young habitants left Detroit and settled along the River Raisin, to build businesses and start new farms and families. Many already had productive relationships with Native Tribes who had land on River Raisin. The “newcomers” negotiated deeds for land with Tribal friends, mainly the Potawatomi, Wyandot, Ottawa and Chippewa. While the British ruled the region, it was illegal to negotiate private land grants between the “French” settlers and Tribes, however, they did not enforce these laws. When the region became part of the United States, non-Native landowners were permitted to keep the property they had obtained from the Tribes in order to gain their allegiance.
The first Non-Native settler was a “French” settler, twenty-one-year-old François Navarre. His family had lived in Detroit for many years and were highly regarded in government and business. Navarre took up residence at River Raisin in 1785 and persuaded a number of friends and relatives to join him. Navarre was an undisputed community, business and church leader when first the British, and then the Americans, controlled the River Raisin Settlement. He served as a ranking officer in River Raisin’s militia, opposing the British in the Battles of the River Raisin. Sometimes called “the Father of Monroe”, François Navarre died in 1826 and is buried in Monroe’s Old Burial Ground.
Why Were Many River Raisin Properties Called “Ribbon Farms”?
River Raisin settlers wanted ‘riverfront property’. This would provide direct access to fresh water for residents, crops and livestock; food from abundant fishing and waterfowl; and essential transportation by water (in these early times, the land routes were only dirt trails through dense forests). To achieve this, the settlers adopted a system their ancestors had used in Canada. Properties were very narrow, but they extended away from the river for up to three miles. Because they were long and narrow, the plots were nicknamed ribbon farms. Homes and outbuildings (barn, stable, smokehouse, etc.) were located close to the chemin, a dirt trail that followed the river on both banks. This style of farm ensured that neighbors’ houses or cabins were within shouting distance of each other, facilitating communications, especially during times of danger. They were also within walking distance for nightly social activities. Ribbon farms were originally ‘subsistence’ farms, producing food that would provide only for the resident family. The farms typically yielded corn, wheat, oats, vegetables, orchard fruits, and livestock.
Over the years, the River Raisin Settlement evolved from a frontier outpost to a community, after Detroit, becoming the second largest European settlement in the Michigan Territory. The earliest settlers were fur traders, providing equipment, food, clothing, tools, weapons, alcohol and other items, in exchange for furs from throughout the Great Lakes. The furs would then be shipped first to Canada, and then to European markets. By the 1790s, a bakery and several mills and distilleries were in operation. Extensive orchards had been planted, and the settlement was producing surplus cider, corn and wheat for the Indian fur trade and to supply military garrisons. Blacksmiths fabricated household items and repaired firearms, kettles and traps. Silversmiths fashioned household items and produced regalia that the traders exchanged with the Indians for furs and pelts. Some Detroit merchants owned property fronting on the River Raisin, with hired labor or tenants who worked their farms, stores, mills and distilleries.
As a result of the 1795 Jay Treaty, British troops withdrew from Detroit finally placing the Michigan Territory under American control. A number of non-French settlers arrived, many were American citizens, descendants of colonists from Great Britain or other European countries. The French often referred to them simply as ‘Yankees’. Under the governance of the United States, River Raisin Settlement saw the creation of a militia (part-time military forces similar to today’s National Guard), effective law enforcement and a functional legal system). The influx of new residents strained relations between the settlers and Native people. In 1806, the local militia built a 200-foot square stockade with a blockhouse inside. Named the Wayne Stockade after U.S. General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, the structure was intended as a refuge for River Raisin settlers in the event of Native raids. This structure was burnt down in August 1812 after the surrender of the Michigan Territory.
Today the Frenchtown Unit contains the highest concentration of sites related to the Battles of the River Raisin (also called the Battles of Frenchtown) and their aftermath. We encourage you to begin your tour by visiting the Battlefield’s Visitor Center in Monroe. Open year-round, the visitor center offers exhibits and activities for people of all ages. You can explore what was at stake through the stories of the many groups who violently collided in defense of their nations and how the aftermath of the battles continues to influence us today. The River Raisin Trade Depot, located inside the visitor center, offers educational books, games, souvenirs and more for sale. From the visitor center, you can follow the trails to important locations within the battlefield, which extends all the way from Lake Erie to the east and downtown Monroe, Michigan to the west.
Location: River Raisin National Battlefield Park Visitor & Education Center 333 North Dixie Highway Monroe, MI 48162 Phone: 734-243-7136 Hours: 10am – 6pm, 7 days a week
Admission Fee: NO
Things to do: Parking: Parking is available
River Access: Trail Access: YES Passport Stamp: YES
Why is it called River Raisin?
The River Raisin went by several different names throughout history. Natives called the river Nummasepee, or ‘River of Sturgeon’. The river’s extensive floodplains created extensive sturgeon breeding grounds that fed into Lake Erie. French explorers called it La Rivière aux Raisins (The River with Grapes), because of the wild grapes growing along its banks. The British found it easier just to call it River Raisin.
Early River Raisin settlers were often called “The French”. They were descendants of the original colonists who left France for Canada in the mid-1600s. Over the generations, many French-Canadians moved to Detroit. Finally, many Detroiters with French-Canadian heritage moved to River Raisin. They were French-speakers, faithfully maintaining French cultural traditions, especially their devout Catholicism. So – in the centuries of living in North America, these people were called “The French”. River Raisin settlers were also called habitants, which is French for ‘inhabitants’, and Canadiens, French-speaking settlers of French-Canadian heritage. The Settlement itself was often called “Frenchtown” by non-French speaking outsiders.
Was French the Only Language Spoken at the Settlement?
Definitely not! The non-Native settlers were vastly outnumbered by Native people living in the area. In the early days, the most successful communicators at River Raisin spoke French, at least one Native language, and maybe some English. Hundreds of young habitants left Detroit and settled along the River Raisin, to build businesses and start new farms and families. Many already had productive relationships with Native Tribes who had land on River Raisin. The “newcomers” negotiated deeds for land with Tribal friends, mainly the Potawatomi, Wyandot, Ottawa and Chippewa. While the British ruled the region, it was illegal to negotiate private land grants between the “French” settlers and Tribes, however, they did not enforce these laws. When the region became part of the United States, non-Native landowners were permitted to keep the property they had obtained from the Tribes in order to gain their allegiance.
The first Non-Native settler was a “French” settler, twenty-one-year-old François Navarre. His family had lived in Detroit for many years and were highly regarded in government and business. Navarre took up residence at River Raisin in 1785 and persuaded a number of friends and relatives to join him. Navarre was an undisputed community, business and church leader when first the British, and then the Americans, controlled the River Raisin Settlement. He served as a ranking officer in River Raisin’s militia, opposing the British in the Battles of the River Raisin. Sometimes called “the Father of Monroe”, François Navarre died in 1826 and is buried in Monroe’s Old Burial Ground.
Why Were Many River Raisin Properties Called “Ribbon Farms”?
River Raisin settlers wanted ‘riverfront property’. This would provide direct access to fresh water for residents, crops and livestock; food from abundant fishing and waterfowl; and essential transportation by water (in these early times, the land routes were only dirt trails through dense forests). To achieve this, the settlers adopted a system their ancestors had used in Canada. Properties were very narrow, but they extended away from the river for up to three miles. Because they were long and narrow, the plots were nicknamed ribbon farms. Homes and outbuildings (barn, stable, smokehouse, etc.) were located close to the chemin, a dirt trail that followed the river on both banks. This style of farm ensured that neighbors’ houses or cabins were within shouting distance of each other, facilitating communications, especially during times of danger. They were also within walking distance for nightly social activities. Ribbon farms were originally ‘subsistence’ farms, producing food that would provide only for the resident family. The farms typically yielded corn, wheat, oats, vegetables, orchard fruits, and livestock.
Over the years, the River Raisin Settlement evolved from a frontier outpost to a community, after Detroit, becoming the second largest European settlement in the Michigan Territory. The earliest settlers were fur traders, providing equipment, food, clothing, tools, weapons, alcohol and other items, in exchange for furs from throughout the Great Lakes. The furs would then be shipped first to Canada, and then to European markets. By the 1790s, a bakery and several mills and distilleries were in operation. Extensive orchards had been planted, and the settlement was producing surplus cider, corn and wheat for the Indian fur trade and to supply military garrisons. Blacksmiths fabricated household items and repaired firearms, kettles and traps. Silversmiths fashioned household items and produced regalia that the traders exchanged with the Indians for furs and pelts. Some Detroit merchants owned property fronting on the River Raisin, with hired labor or tenants who worked their farms, stores, mills and distilleries.
As a result of the 1795 Jay Treaty, British troops withdrew from Detroit finally placing the Michigan Territory under American control. A number of non-French settlers arrived, many were American citizens, descendants of colonists from Great Britain or other European countries. The French often referred to them simply as ‘Yankees’. Under the governance of the United States, River Raisin Settlement saw the creation of a militia (part-time military forces similar to today’s National Guard), effective law enforcement and a functional legal system). The influx of new residents strained relations between the settlers and Native people. In 1806, the local militia built a 200-foot square stockade with a blockhouse inside. Named the Wayne Stockade after U.S. General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, the structure was intended as a refuge for River Raisin settlers in the event of Native raids. This structure was burnt down in August 1812 after the surrender of the Michigan Territory.
Today the Frenchtown Unit contains the highest concentration of sites related to the Battles of the River Raisin (also called the Battles of Frenchtown) and their aftermath. We encourage you to begin your tour by visiting the Battlefield’s Visitor Center in Monroe. Open year-round, the visitor center offers exhibits and activities for people of all ages. You can explore what was at stake through the stories of the many groups who violently collided in defense of their nations and how the aftermath of the battles continues to influence us today. The River Raisin Trade Depot, located inside the visitor center, offers educational books, games, souvenirs and more for sale. From the visitor center, you can follow the trails to important locations within the battlefield, which extends all the way from Lake Erie to the east and downtown Monroe, Michigan to the west.
Location: River Raisin National Battlefield Park Visitor & Education Center 333 North Dixie Highway Monroe, MI 48162 Phone: 734-243-7136 Hours: 10am – 6pm, 7 days a week
Admission Fee: NO
Things to do: Parking: Parking is available
River Access: Trail Access: YES Passport Stamp: YES