Origins of Lake St. Clair

Geologists have discovered the origins of Lake St. Clair in the Greatlakean ice advance. It is known as “High Lake St. Clair” and has an impressive elevation of 590 feet, encompassing what is now Grosse Pointe Farms. The crest of the island stretched along the current Kercheval and Ridge Roads. As the Detroit River developed, it began to drain the lake resulting in “Lowest Lake St. Clair” (el. 585 feet). One of the beaches of the expanding island is the route of present Mack Avenue from East Outer Drive to Eleven Mile Road. This ridge of gravel and sand was built by wave action, eventually becoming an Indian trail, then a French pathway, and today an important thoroughfare – a proud reminder of how far the city has come.

One notable feature of the expanding island was a beach that now corresponds to Mack Avenue, serving as an Indian trail in the past, a French pathway later on, and today a significant thoroughfare that serves as a testament to our progress.

Ancient People and Animals Traversed the Area

Local amateur archeologist Jerome DeVisscher theorizes that ancient people and animals traversed the area between advances and retreats of the glaciers. Evidence of their presence can be found in the artifacts discovered along Mack Avenue and on Cook Road, where stone points and fragments of clay pots were plowed up on his father’s farm. This discovery is a testament to the resourcefulness of these ancient people, who used the beaches and knolls as camping sites during their hunting or trading journeys and refitted their spears for the next day’s hunt. DeVisscher’s theory is supported by the fact that these artifacts were found near natural features such as beaches and knolls, which would have provided suitable locations for temporary settlements. Additionally, the presence of stone points and clay pots suggests that these ancient people had developed sophisticated tools and pottery-making techniques, further highlighting their adaptability and ingenuity.

Early French Visitors

This area has a long history of contact with early French visitors, including missionaries, traders, and voyageurs, who were licensed to operate the canoes of the fur trade. The first recorded visit was by explorer Adrien Joliet in 1669, who was guided down the St. Clair-Detroit waterway by an Iroquois Indian. Robert Cavalier de la Salle followed in 1679, sailing the Griffin, the first sailing vessel known to explore these waters. He named Lake Ste. Claire, now anglicized to Lake St. Clair, in honor of his party. It is an incredible feeling to think about the rich history of this area and all the contributions that early French visitors made.

Lake St. Clair, located in the Great Lakes region, has its origins in the Greatlakean ice advance. Its elevation is 590 feet and was expanded by the Detroit River, resulting in “Lowest Lake St. Clair.” The island’s crest, now Mack Avenue, was built by wave action and later became an Indian trail, a French pathway, and a significant thoroughfare. Ancient people and animals also traversed the area, with artifacts found along Mack Avenue and Cook Road. These artifacts suggest their resourcefulness and the development of sophisticated tools and pottery-making techniques. The area has a long history of contact with early French visitors, including missionaries, traders, and voyageurs. These visitors played a crucial role in the development of the fur trade, exploration of the Great Lakes region, and European exploration and colonization of North America.