In 1733, the French Voyageur-Explorer La Vérendrye, guided by Native Americans, traveled here from the Great Lakes by way of Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. After portaging over ancient glacial ridges from the lake to the Roseau River, he continued northwest by water in search of a long sought passage to the Pacific Ocean. Although a Northwest Passage was never found, La Vérendrye explored and mapped routes throughout the Red River and Assiniboine Valleys, opening travel and trade for others. He named the Roseau River after the tall “rushing reeds” that grew abundantly here.