By Tim Lambert 17th Century Boston Boston was founded in 1630 by English Puritans fleeing religious persecution. On 29 March 1630, a fleet of 11 ships carrying 700 people sailed from England to Massachusetts. They were led by John Winthrop (1588-1649). At first, the people settled at Charlestown, which had been founded the year before.… Continue reading A History of Boston
Category: History of American states and cities
A History of Charleston
By Tim Lambert Early Charleston The city of Charleston, South Carolina was founded in 1670 by English colonists. It was named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II (1660-1685). Soon Charleston was a thriving town and port. The Powder Magazine was built about 1713. However, Charleston was vulnerable to attack because of its position… Continue reading A History of Charleston
A History of Chicago
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Chicago The history of Chicago begins in the year 1673. In that year two Frenchmen, Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet arrived in the area. (The name Chicago is derived from a Native American word of uncertain meaning, checagou). However, the French did not settle the area. The first non-indigenous… Continue reading A History of Chicago
A History of Colonial America
By Tim Lambert The Earliest Colonies The first Europeans to establish colonies in North America were the Spanish. In 1526 a Spaniard called Lucas Vasquez de Allyon attempted to found a colony in Carolina. (He also brought the first black slaves to North America). However, the attempt failed. Many Spaniards died of disease and the… Continue reading A History of Colonial America
A History of Colorado
By Tim Lambert Early Colorado The first people in Colorado arrived about 12,000 years ago. At first, they lived mainly by hunting mammoths. But mammoths became extinct and bison became the main source of food. The Spanish introduced horses into North America and in the late 17th century horses had reached Colorado and transformed hunting.… Continue reading A History of Colorado
A History of Detroit
By Tim Lambert Early Detroit The great city of Detroit began as a French fort. The French built it on the Detroit River in 1701. Led by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658-1730) 100 soldiers and workers built a wooden palisade. Soon a little settlement grew up by the fort but in 1760 during the… Continue reading A History of Detroit
A History of Fairbanks
By Tim Lambert Early Fairbanks The story of Fairbanks, Alaska began in 1901 with a trader from Ohio called E T (Elbridge Truman) Barnette (1863-1933). In 1901 Barnette sailed to St Michael, Alaska. He planned to open a trading post at Tanacross. He planned to travel there in a river steamer called the Lavelle Young.… Continue reading A History of Fairbanks
A History of Georgia
By Tim Lambert Early Georgia Before Europeans arrived the Cherokee lived in northern Georgia. The Creek lived further south. The first European to visit the area was a Spaniard named Hernando de Soto in 1540. In 1566 the Spanish settled on St Catherines Island. However, after the English attacks, the Spanish abandoned their settlements. Then… Continue reading A History of Georgia
A History of Juneau
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Juneau Juneau was founded by two men named Joseph Juneau (1833-1899) and Richard Harris (1833-1907). They discovered gold in 1880 and prospectors flocked to the area. At first, the new town was called Harrisburg but it was soon renamed Rockwell then Juneau. Within a year it had a population… Continue reading A History of Juneau
A History of Las Vegas
By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Las Vegas For hundreds of years, Native Americans lived in the area where Las Vegas now stands. They grew corn and squashes. Then in 1829, a Spanish trader named Antonio Armijo led a group of men through the area. They called it Las Vegas (Spanish for ‘The Meadows’). Then… Continue reading A History of Las Vegas