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Remember that the French settled not only in Canada and (modern day) Louisiana, but also around St Louis (where the name comes from), Detroit and in areas of Illinois which was called the Pays d'en Haut (high country). Here is a map of actual French settlement (rather than just claimed lands) during the 17th-18th centuries.
Doesn't Detroit have some of the most French history outside of the Gulf Coast? I swear there was a thread on this a while back.
The place names of the western Great lakes are very much French influenced, including Detroit. You will also find a lot of family names that are French, these are usually families who's roots go all the way back to the regions early settlement. As far as language and culture however I think it would be tough to find any real connection to the early French settlers in the western great lakes area. Other groups have come to that area in such numbers that the original French influence has been diluted to a point it cannot be seen other than in the place names. I think the same is true of a lot of the areas of the US where the French had influence, other than northern Maine and Louisiana. I did not know about the surviving French culture in Missouri, very fascinating. However it looks as if it has also passed into history other than a few elderly people who remember it.
Western Pennsylvania. The French claimed the Allegheny from Warren down to Pittsburgh. There were forts from Erie to Pittsburgh. The only influence left is mainly in the form of names of towns and streets. There are a few French descendants left from that time period but not many.
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