There were no business houses of any kind on any street north of Jefferson avenue, for many years after I came. The business was confined, entirely, to that portion of the city fronting on the river, between the Cass farm, Jefferson avenue and Hastings street. It was a pretty busy locality, then, between the points named, thronged as it was, with the French residents from up and down the river, and from Canada as well. The French voyageurs could always be seen there in great numbers, clad in their picturesque dress.
The Indians...were also largely in evidence, particularly at the time of the annual distribution of presents to them at Malden by the British government. On these occasions they always made this city a visit of many days (going and coming) filling the streets and camping around anywhere they liked. They were perfectly peaceable, creating no disturbance, although one might think so from the fact that they were all so addicted to the use of whiskey.
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| 1835 Map (LOC) With Campau Lot |
They were all great friends of Mr. Joseph Campau and he of them, who had his store and dwelling on Jefferson avenue, east side, between Griswold and Shelby streets. I have often seen the sidewalk in front of his place so crowded with them lying around that it was difficult for pedestrians to get along without stepping on a squaw or papoose. (Source)
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