1718
Bienville founds the City of New Orleans Bienville founded the City of New Orleans at present site because of easy access to the Mississippi River through Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John. The city was 'owned' by France. Shortly afterward, enslaved Africans arrive, adding to the mix of cultures in the Lake Pontchartrian Basin. Source: http://www.saveourlake.org/lessons/chpt10/index.htm#history