On May 7, 1800, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable—recognized as the “Father of Chicago”—sold all his property along the Chicago River for $1,200 and left the region. A Black pioneer of Haitian descent, DuSable had established a thriving trading post, farm, and homestead in what would become one of America’s largest cities. His departure marked the end of his foundational role in early Chicago. Despite his lasting legacy, DuSable died in 1818 nearly penniless in St. Charles, Missouri. Today, his contribution is honored with monuments, schools, and museums in Chicago, recognizing him as one of the city’s earliest non-Indigenous settlers and entrepreneurs.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
