French traders were active in the region throughout the middle 18th century when it was part of the Illinois Country.

What is it about good-looking French traders and the global financial crisis?

One French trader described the tribe as "the greatest traders in the world."

The first fort was built there in 1738 by French traders.

Some French traders may have lived at the sites.

Dutch, English, and French traders came in the 16th century.

By 1719, these people had moved south to Oklahoma, where they met French traders.

While there, he lived among French traders and learned to speak their language.

Besides trading, it was also intended to protect the company's interests from French traders to the south.

Later he would become a language teacher to missionaries and French traders.