The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAMING A RIVER

THE RIVRE ROUGE WAS NAMED BY THE FRENCH EXPLORER LASALLE
IN THE 17 TH CENTURY. AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH THE AREA
LASALLE NOTICED THE NUMBER OF RED BERRY BUSHES ALONG THE
RIVERS EDGE. THE SUNS RAYS PASSED THROUGH THE BUSHES AND
ON TO THE WATER'S SURFACE. THIS CAUSED THE
WATER TO HAVE A REDDISH OR ROUGE GLOW, THUS THE RIVER RECEIVED
ITS NAME.

Submitter comment:

MR. BARRY PICKED THIS UP DURING HIS MANY YEARS AS A ROUGE PLANT
WITH FORD MOTOR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): 17th Century ; ETYMOLOGY ; Explorer ; FRENCH ; Lasalle ; Legend ; Origin ; River Rouge ; Rouge

Date learned: SUMMER 1963

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