The Story of Old Fort Dearborn

A vivid portrait of early Chicago emerges from the pages, tracing the rugged wilderness that cradled the first Fort Dearborn. The narrative begins with the daring 1673 expedition of Joliet and the Jesuit Marquette, two young men who paddled into unknown territory seeking the elusive “Great River.” Their observations of native plant life, riverbanks and the surrounding prairie set the stage for a settlement that would soon sit at the crossroads of French, British and American ambitions.

As the fledgling fort rises in 1803, the story follows the soldiers, traders and families who built a community amid tension and chance encounters with the local tribes. Through letters, sketches and vivid descriptions, listeners glimpse daily life on the frontier—hard‑won alliances, the rhythm of supply runs, and the uneasy peace that would later shatter in 1812. The first act of this chronicle offers a richly textured glimpse into a pivotal chapter of American expansion, inviting you to hear the sounds of a bustling river town before its dramatic turn.