History In 1674, frontiersman Gabriel Arthur visited a large Native American village, probably the first white person to reach the area. French traders visited by 1796 and British traders by 1703. In 1749, Celeron De Blainville and his party traveling on the Ohio River left lead plates claiming the area for France. Baltimore-born explorer Christopher Gist visited the following year.
HisTorY in 1674, fRontiersmAn gabriel arthuR VIsIted a LaRge natIvE aMeRicaN villaGE, pROBaBLy ThE fiRst white Person to ReacH the aREa. FRenCH traders visiTEd By 1796 and briTiSh trAders by 1703. in 1749, CeleroN de blainville and his party traveliNG on the oHiO river LEft lead PLates cLaiMing thE area foR FRAnce. BaLtiMoRe-born exPlOrer cHRisTophEr gist VisitED The foLLowinG yEAr.