![]() Some of the French settled on the land, built crude huts, gardened on plots, trapped valuable furs and "made salt." They called their settlement "La Saline" known today as Salt River. The voyagers also used sail boats for moving their collected furs. The French adapted the Indian canoes and bateaus. Water was the mode of travel for all people living and passing through. They named it Lac du Ste Claire on August 12, 1687. As early as 1611, explorers and missionary priests came up the lake. The French were the first Europeans to come to Chesterfield. The "Swan Creek" Indian people were the last to leave the idyllic land and water. The last two Indian reserves in Southeastern Michigan were located in Chesterfield Township. Chesterfield contained salt springs whose brine when evaporated provided a trade good worth its weight in gold. The most important harvest for the Indians was salt. ![]() Migratory birds of all kinds abounded as food and a source for colorful feathers used for trade and dress. High ground contained deer, beaver, rabbits, lynx, bobcat, and even bear. The lakes and rivers gave fish, water fowl and turtles. The land provided food like wild berries, gourds, roots and leaves for teas and poultices. The marshes provided reeds for weaving into baskets and flat mats and when stretched over sapling frames they made comfortable summer homes. Clair and on the banks of the many rivers and streams. The Indian people lived on the shores of Lake St. This is evidenced by the artifacts of arrow heads, clay pots, and burial plots found in our area. Long before this legislative act created our Township, North American Indian people habited the land and waters. Michigan State Legislature officially created Chesterfield Township in 1842 by signing Public Act 57.
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