Chesterfield Tutors

About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Michigan is a small town with an interesting history. The area has seen a variety of residents, and been under various forms of control depending on what time period you are looking at. Although today it is your average town with shops, gas stations, and Chesterfield tutors it was not always that way.

The very first people to settle the area of Chesterfield was of course the Native Americans. They lived near the rivers and streams where materials and fish were plenty. Reeds that grew in the water were perfect for weaving, and the Native Americans used them for everything from baskets to houses. Berries, roots, fish, and water fowl were just some of the things readily available to these early settlers. More important than anything, however, was the “salt” that the Native Americans collected. Chesterfield is home to salt springs, and the Native Americans would dry out the brine and collect what was left. This harvest was their number one trading item and how they were able to get other supplies needed.

In the early 1600’s the French found this little area, and were the first Europeans to set foot on it. The adopted the Native American’s different canoes and river transportation mechanisms, as this was the fastest way to travel in that area. The area was hardly “settled” however, and only a select few brave Frenchman stuck in the area, trading furs and salt as well. They constructed huts to live in and made up small farming plots, mostly to produce the food they needed. They dubbed the area “La Saline”.

When the British empire gained control of the land they honored the land grants that had been given to these early French settlers by both the Native Americans and French government. Other than taking over the salt aspect of trading, they meddled very little in what was already going on. They did lay down the first military road, known as Fort Gratiot turnpike, which allowed more settlers to come through via wagon trains. Larger plots of land began to be cleared so farmers could grow larger and more profitable crops.

When the Americans took over the area it was colonized the rest of the way, and Chesterfield slowly grew into the town that it is today. While many no longer work in the salt of farming business, you do know have the ability to meet with your Chesterfield tutor and take the steps to become anything that you want to be.