Louis Hennepin was a 17th century French explorer and priest who is best known for his explorations of the Great Lakes region of North America. He was born in Ath, Belgium in 1626 and was ordained as a priest in 1658. He was a member of the Recollect order of Franciscan friars and was sent to New France (now Canada) in 1675.
Hennepin was the first European to explore the Great Lakes region. He was sent by the Governor of New France, Louis de Buade de Frontenac, to explore the area and to find a route to the western sea. Hennepin was accompanied by two other Frenchmen, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Pierre de Troyes. They set out from Fort Frontenac (now Kingston, Ontario) in August 1679 and traveled up the Ottawa River. They then portaged to Lake Nipissing and then to Lake Huron. From there, they traveled down the St. Clair River and into Lake St. Clair.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Detroit River and into Lake Erie. They then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Erie.
Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to Lake Ontario. From there, they traveled up the St. Lawrence River and eventually reached the mouth of the Niagara River. Hennepin and his companions then traveled up the Niagara River and portaged to