Speaker
Description
This study explores the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in reconstructing historical landscapes, focusing on the estate and influence of Nicholas Jarrot, a prominent French American entrepreneur in early 19th-century Cahokia, Illinois. By employing geospatial techniques, the research reconstructs the spatial dimensions of Jarrot's extensive landholdings and examines their significance within the broader sociopolitical context of the Mississippi River region during the early American Republic. GIS analysis facilitates the visualization of land use patterns, property boundaries, and the strategic positioning of Jarrot's estate, highlighting how his activities shaped Cahokia's development as a vital economic and cultural hub. The study also investigates the intersections of geography, economy, and power, revealing how spatial relationships influenced the region's historical trajectory. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the research underscores the value of GIS as a tool for historical inquiry, offering new insights into the spatial dynamics of historical figures and their environments. This work contributes to the growing body of scholarship that integrates geospatial technologies into historical studies, enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay between geography and history in early America.
