So, you want to know more about The Old Northwest. Let’s start with the name.
On July 13, 1787, the United States Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which established the Northwest Territory. The Northwest Territory covered what are now the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as all of Minnesota east of the Mississippi River. Years later, after America's borders shifted west and the territory was long gone, the region gained the name Old Northwest to distinguish it from the modern Northwest.
This is a Substack to explore that region of the world.
Starting in September, there will be two articles every month. The first will explore the region’s past. The second its present. Between articles there’ll be notes and replies to comments.
So if you want to know more about the worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes, the Halloween death of Harry Houdini, or why Coca-Cola is pop, not soda, read on and subscribe.
Thank you for your time, and may all your reading be profitable.