Jean Baptiste Point du Sable is widely regarded as the first permanent resident and founder of what would later become the city of Chicago. Born in Saint-Marc in present-day Haiti around 1745, du Sable was of African and French descent. He settled in what was then known as the Northwest Territory of the United States in the 1780s, establishing a trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River.

Du Sable was known for his business acumen and his relationships with Indigenous peoples in the region, which helped him to thrive as a trader and entrepreneur. His trading post became a hub for commerce and a key stopping point for travelers and traders in the area. Du Sable married a Potawatomi woman named Kitihawa, with whom he had two children.

Despite his significant contributions to the development of the region, du Sable faced financial challenges and ultimately sold his property in the 1790s before moving to St. Charles, Missouri, where he lived out the rest of his days. Although du Sable's legacy was initially overlooked and his story was largely forgotten, efforts have been made in recent years to recognize and celebrate his important role in the early history of Chicago. Today, du Sable is often referred to as the "Father of Chicago" and is honored with the Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Homesite, a designated National Historic Landmark.