The town finally was incorporated in 1754 after the French and Indian War and the Green Bay being taken over by the British in 1761. In 1717 a fort was added in the area and the town began to see gradual development. Once Champlain died in 1635 traveling to Baie Verte (Green Bay) was placed at a halt. Nicolet had lived with the Winnebago's for about one year and became an ally to the tribe, opening up opportunities for trade and commerce. When Nicolet had gone south to Green Bay, he had encountered the Menominee territory and Winnebago people. Because of this, Green Bay has been claimed to be one of the oldest settlements in America. Nicolet had founded a trading post in Red Banks in 1634 originally named La Baie des Puants (French for " The Stinking Bay"). After sailing through the Great Lakes he had landed at Red Banks, now an unincorporated community near Green Bay. Nicolet set out for this exploration in the fall of 1634. In addition to this, Nicolet also was to explore the area in hopes to find a shorter trade route to China through Canada, whom the Winnebago people believed lived near the Pacific Ocean as well as natural resources. Jean Nicolet had been commissioned by French navigator Samuel de Champlain to form an alliance with the Indians living within New France to end the interference with fur trade.