The Mississippi River
by George Bailey
The northern portion of the Mississippi River was mapped by Father Jacques Marquette and the French Canadian explorer Louis Joliet. Marquette, who was proficient in foreign languages, learned Huron, among other Native American languages, and learned about the river from members of Illinois tribes in 1688. Marquette initiated the expedition and was joined by Joliet in 1673. On June 17th, they followed the Wisconsin River to the Mississippi River, becoming the first Europeans to enter it. From Branson travel southeast or northeast to reach it.