The French really wanted to establish a port at Pensacola in 1702 but the Spanish had control. From 1702 to 1711, the French were at "Old Mobile" at Fort Louis which was on a high bluff 27 miles upriver, hence the name Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff. Ships were unloaded at Dauphin Island [then named Massacre Island] In 1711, the French moved to Mobile Bay, near current-day Mobile. In 1714, the French established Natchitoches which was the first settlement in current-day Louisiana. The French moved to New Orleans in 1718 because Mobile was hit by violent hurricanes. The first women arrived at Old Mobile in 1704. The large influx of settlers was from 1718-1721 when Louisiana was managed by The Company of the West Indies. It reverted to a Crown Colony in 1721 because the Company of the West Indies went bust. The site for the Port of New Orleans was selected because it was the first suitable site from the mouth of the Mississippi River that was high enough and the river wide enough for the turning radius of the ships. Stanley LeBlanc http://www.thecajuns.com -----Original Message----- From: Ken Roy [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 2:55 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ACADIAN-CAJUN] Need help with some facts, pre Acadian in Louisiana Anne Francoise Roland, at age 21 was put aboard the sloop "La Mutine" and arrived in Louisiana in 1719. This is very early history of Louisiana, New Orleans was founded in 1718. I am of the opinion that most ships coming to Louisiana docked at Mobile, and the French forts located their during this period, and New Orleans was made a major port a few years later? All educated comments and theories welcome. Please respond to email below. Kenneth G. Roy Pineville, Louisiana Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero. [email protected] ==== ACADIAN-CAJUN Mailing List ==== Please remember when writing a personal 'thank you' to only hit reply so just the person you are thanking receives it. When answering a query please hit reply all so we all might benefit. ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&ta rgetid=5429