The canals that cut through Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood on Detroit's far east side have played an important part of Detroit's history ever since Native Americans first inhabited the land.

Jefferson Avenue was once a Native American trail that connected Fort Pontchartrain and Grosse Pointe. Turning off of Jefferson onto Alter Road, one follows Fox Creek to where it connects with the canals, and eventually, the Detroit River. Homes along these canals are reminders of Detroit's maritime connection. The area was home to captains of industry and bootleggers, and the canals serve as an important link to Detroit's maritime heritage.

But the history here extends much further than the bootleggers who ran whiskey between Canada and Detroit.

In 1712, more than 1,000 Fox Indians were killed her

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