Lenni-Lenape Indians lived among this area's rich woods and creeks for centuries. In the summer they came to catch fish in the creeks. In the winter they moved further west to hunt deer. They gathered food from the forest and grew crops of corn. As Europeans began to explore and colonize America, the Lenni-Lenape became familiar with them and the goods they brought to trade. Few understood that these settlers would change the Lenni-Lenape's lifestyle forever. As more Europeans came to live here, they forced the Lenni-Lenape further and further west. By 1740, almost all were gone from this area.