Northern Alberta

Last Update: 12/AUGUST/2025

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2025 American Forts Network

Moose Lake Posts
(1789 - 1809 ?), near Bonnyville
A North West Co. post, lasting about 20 years, at the southeast end of the lake. Also known as Fort Lac d'Orignal. Also known as Shaw House, after trader Angus Shaw. Moose Lake, located west of town, was originally named Lac d'Orignal.

The HBC operated Moose Lake House here in 1818, a subpost of Fort Edmonton.

Fort Kent
(no date), Fort Kent
This small town northeast of Bonnyville was named in 1922 after the suggestion of an early settler from Fort Kent, Maine.

Cold Lake Posts
(1877 - 1938), Cold Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1894 - 1932).

Cold Lake was established some time before 1877 as an outpost of Onion Lake, Saskatchewan. The Cold Lake outpost was located about a half mile from the lake of the same name, in present-day Alberta. Its trade was primarily with Chipewyan hunters from the Cold Lake Reserve. From 1887 to 1889 Cold Lake acted as an outpost for Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. After that, it was again under the administration of Onion Lake.

In 1915 Cold Lake was made a full post. In June 1930 the name of the post and townsite was changed to Le Goff. In November of that year an outpost was opened called Cold Lake (2), situated about 16 kilmetres from Le Goff, which conducted the majority of the trade for its parent post. In 1933 the new Cold Lake outpost was given full post status. Le Goff was closed at the end of the 1937 outfit year.

Lac La Biche Posts
(1798 - 1823, 1852 - 1895/1915), Lac La Biche
A North West Co. wintering post (1798-99) located at the east end of the lake. Also known as Red Deer Lake House. The Hudson's Bay Co. established Greenwich House (1799 - 1801) nearby. The HBC later acquired the NWCo. post in 1822. The HBC re-established the post in 1852. The Lac La Biche Oblate Mission (NHS) was built in 1853. The Alberta Field Force - St. Albert Mounted Rifles (about 60 men) used one of the mission buildings as barracks in May-June 1885 during the Riel Rebellion. The HBC store had been looted by the local Cree Indians and Métis in April 1885.

The Hudson's Bay Company post at Lac la Biche, first known as Greenwich House, was established in 1799 by Peter Fidler. It was situated on the bank of Lac la Biche (also known as Red Deers Lake) in the Athabasca watershed. Charles Isham took charge of the post in 1800, and remained there for one season until the post was abandoned in 1801.

In October 1817 John Lee Lewes established a temporary post at Lac la Biche, called Red Deers (sic ?) Lake House, which operated until May 1818. Trade began again at the post in the summer of 1819 under the direction of Antoine Dejarlois. After the union of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821, Lac la Biche was once again abandoned, and the buildings were left in the care of Joseph Chaplet (Caplette), a freeman.

Lac la Biche was not reopened until 1853, when Governor George Simpson decided it was needed as a trading post for Métis trappers in the area. When Deputy Surveyor W.S. Gore surveyed the area in 1872, he reported that the HBC land reserve at Lac la Biche consisted of 1000 acres on the south shore of the lake. In June 1873 the post burned to the ground, but was immediately rebuilt. During the North West Rebellion of 1885, Lac la Biche was pillaged by Beaver Lake Indians and Big Bear's Indians. All post books and accounts were destroyed in this raid.

Trade continued at Lac la Biche until 1915, when another fire swept through the post, destroying most of the buildings. In the fall of that year, part of the HBC's lands were sold to the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway Co.. During the next two years, a new store, warehouses, and ice house were erected within Lac la Biche town limits. In May 1919 fire once again destroyed most of the post. The store was temporarily reopened in an old building near the dwelling house, but was closed out in July 1919. However, an HBC department store was established in the town of Lac la Biche in 1946 with the purchase of a building from A. Hamilton & Sons, Ltd.. From 1959 to 1987, Lac la Biche fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1987 the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Athabasca Landing Posts
(1886 - 1914), Athabasca
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Athabasca River. The town was named Athabasca Landing until 1913.

The NWMP established a post here in 1897, and re-established (or continued ?) by the RCMP in 1919.

In 1886 a Hudson's Bay Company store and dwelling house were built at Athabasca Landing, located on the elbow of the Athabasca River in present-day Alberta. Beginning in the 1820's this location was part of the supply route used for transport of supplies and fur returns to and from Lesser Slave Lake. In 1875 Chief Factor Richard Hardisty recommended that a new road be built from Edmonton to Athabasca Landing for transport purposes. To facilitate transported goods, a freight warehouse was built at Athabasca Landing in 1876. Trade began at the site in 1886 with the construction of a store, dwelling house, and a new, larger freight warehouse. Other post buildings included a stable, powder magazine, workshop, and storeman's house. By 1889 Athabasca Landing was the headquarters of northern transport for the HBC, and that year a tramway was built on Grand Rapids Island. In 1912 the steamers "Slave River" and "Athabasca River" were built at Athabasca Landing for travel on the Athabasca and Peace Rivers. A new store was built in 1914. It operated for a decade before the post was closed in 1924.

Fort Assiniboine (National Historic Site)
(1823 - 1877), Fort Assiniboine FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1824 - 1837). No remains. Of interest in town is the Fort Assiniboine Museum, recreated as a period fur trade post. See also Woodlands County Points of Interest

Fort Assiniboine, first known as Post at McLeod's Branch, was established in the spring of 1823 at the instruction of George Simpson. It was located on the north bank of the Athabasca River, near the confluence of the Athabasca and Freeman Rivers. Beginning in 1826 the post was used to keep horses for Edmonton and to supply brigades crossing the mountains. When Paul Kane visited Fort Assiniboine in 1846, the post was still being used to care for horses. Fort Assiniboine was abandoned in 1857, but was reestablished in 1859 to prevent hunters from trading their furs at Lac Ste. Anne, where there was a group of independent Métis traders. In 1875 plans were made to construct a road from Edmonton to the Athabasca River. Fort Assiniboine was not included on the route, and the post was closed in 1877.

McLeod's Fort (2)
(unknown dates), Whitecourt
The ruins of an abandoned trade post (NWCo. ?) at the mouth of the McLeod River were noted by David Thompson in 1812.

Slave River Post
(1799 - unknown), Smith
A North West Co. post on the Athabasca River at the mouth of the Lesser Slave River.

Lesser Slave Lake House (1)
(1799 - 1802), Slave Lake
A North West Co. post located on the eastern shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the Lesser Slave River outlet. Relocated in 1802 to the western end of the lake.

Sturgeon Lake Post
(1880 - 1959), near Valleyview
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on Sturgeon Lake west of town.

A Hudson's Bay Company store was built at Sturgeon Lake around 1880. It was located 120 miles southwest of Lesser Slave Lake in present-day Alberta. In 1884 there was no officer in charge of the post and an Aboriginal man conducted trade on behalf of the HBC there. A fish house was built in 1886 and a dwelling house in 1887. By 1888 Myles McDermott had been appointed clerk in charge of the post. Sturgeon Lake was temporarily closed in 1915 because a suitable employee was not available to take charge of it, but it reopened in 1916 when a Mr. Ross was put in charge.

From 1959 to 1973 Sturgeon Lake fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1973 the store was sold.

Grande Prairie Post
(1880 - 1897, 1901 - 1917), Grande Prairie
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1895 - 1897) located at Cutbank Lake, near La Glace Lake, about 15 miles northwest of town. Originally a subpost of Fort Dunvegan. Rebuilt in 1896. One of these 1896 buildings has been relocated and restored near the Grande Prairie Museum. The post was relocated to the south shore of Saskatoon Lake in 1902.
See also History of Grande Prairie from Discover the Peace Country.com

The Hudson's Bay Company post at Grande Prairie appears to have been constructed in 1880 by Thomas Kerr. It was established to oppose competition that the HBC was encountering with independent traders in the Peace River area. Grande Prairie was located about 65 miles south of Dunvegan, in present-day Alberta. In 1896 E.K. Beeston recommended the closure of Grande Prairie, due to the disappearance of beaver and Beaver Indian hunters. The post was therefore closed in 1897, but was reopened in 1901. It was permanently closed by Mr. Bartleman in 1917.

Spirit River Ranch Post
(1888 - 1896, 1909 - 1922), Spirit River
A Hudson's Bay Co. post near the Spirit River Ranch.

Spirit River Ranch was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1888 to provide beef, dairy products, and transport to settlers and to North-West Mounted Police in case a detachment was stationed in the area. It was located 21 miles southwest of Dunvegan, near Spirit River. In 1891 several log buildings and a fence were constructed. The ranch consisted of crops of oats, barley, and potatoes, and livestock including cattle, pigs, oxen, and horses. In 1896 the ranch was closed after running for several years at a loss. By 1909 Spirit River Ranch was operating again as an outpost of Dunvegan. In 1922 the ranch was permanently closed as it was no longer profitable.

Fort Dunvegan (Provincial Park and Historic Site)
(1805 - 1918), Dunvegan
A North West Co. stockaded trading post, originally located on the south bank of the Peace River, but soon moved to the north bank. A competing Hudson's Bay Co. post was built on the north bank about the same time. The NWCo. post was taken over by the HBC in 1822 (HBC records cover until 1906). The post was shut down from 1824 to 1828, purportedly as a result of the massacre at Fort St. John (BC) in 1823. It had to be rebuilt when reopened in 1828. New construction again occurred in the 1870's. The extant Factor's House was built in 1877. Admission fee.

Dunvegan became a Hudson's Bay Company post after the union of the HBC and the NWCo. in 1821. The post was first established as a North West Company post by Archibald Norman McLeod in 1805. McLeod had named the post after the seat of the McLeods on the Isle of Skye. It was located on the north bank of the Peace River, 65 miles upstream from the confluence of the Peace and Smoky Rivers in present-day Alberta. In 1825 Dunvegan was closed after Beaver Indians killed Guy Hughes, post manager at Fort St. John. It was reopened in 1828 by Colin Campbell.

From 1878 to 1886 Dunvegan was headquarters of the Peace River District, after which district headquarters were moved to Lesser Slave Lake. By the end of the 19th century, both the beaver and the Beaver Indian populations in the area were declining. In 1918 Dunvegan was closed.

Fort Fork (National Historic Site)
(Peace River Wildland Provincial Park)
(1792 - 1805), near Peace River
A small North West Co. post located on the east (south) bank of the Peace River, about five miles above (upstream from) the mouth of the Smoky River. Also known as Fort of the Forks (2). Site excavated in 1970, now mostly washed away by the river. A stone fireplace was salvaged and reconstructed at the Peace River Museum in town. The Mackenzie Cairn was erected on River Lot 19 along the Shaftesbury Trail in 1929.

An XY Company trade post was also built nearby in 1803.

St. Mary's House (1)
(1818 - 1821), Peace River
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Also known as Fort St. Mary. Originally located on the south bank of the Peace River at its confluence with the Smoky River. Relocated in 1819 across to the north bank. Relocated again in 1820 downstream to Peace River Landing, opposite the town Peace River.

Fort St. Mary's was established in 1818 by Charles Thomas. The site was chosen by John Clarke, and was located on the right bank of the Peace River, just above the mouth of the Smoky River, in present-day Alberta. In 1819 the post was moved to the north side of the Peace River, and in 1821 it was moved to a location opposite the mouth of the Heart River. After the union of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821, Fort St. Mary's was abandoned.

Peace River Crossing Post
(1896 - 1910), Peace River
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the west (north) bank of the river. The Factor's House (1904) is located at 100th Ave. and 98th Street near Riverfront Park. The town was named Peace River Crossing until 1919. The east bank was known as Peace River Landing. Of interest in town is the Peace River Museum, Archives, and Mackenzie Centre at 10302 99th Street (admission fee).

The RCMP had a post here in 1919.

Peace River Crossing, first known as Smoky River Post, was established as an outpost of Dunvegan in 1874. Smoky River was located near the junction of the Peace and Smoky Rivers in present-day Alberta. In 1876 Roderick McFarlane recognized the potential importance of the post, due to the fertile soil of the area and the approaching settlement. The post was temporarily closed however, in 1890 and 1891. The buildings continued to be used as a depot until 1898 and then were abandoned in favour of the location at Peace River Crossing, five miles upstream from the Smoky River, where there had been a freight depot since 1879. By 1884 Peace River Crossing, also known as Peace River Landing, was occupied in the summer only. With the first launching of steamboats on the upper Peace River in 1903, Peace River Crossing was used as a warehouse for freight being transported on the river. In 1909 the post was operating as an outpost of Lesser Slave Lake. The town that developed around the post of Peace River Crossing changed its name to Peace River in 1916, and the HBC adopted this name for the post around 1922.

In 1924-1925, the HBC took over the Lamson & Hubbard post at Peace River. The HBC post was closed in 1930 and was replaced with a cash fur purchasing agency, which was managed by the Raw Fur Department. In 1961 a merchandise store, under the control of the Northern Stores Department, was opened at Peace River. At this time, fur purchasing activities were curtailed and combined with merchandise operations. In 1987 the northern stores, including the one at Peace River, were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Lesser Slave Lake Posts (2)
(1802 - 1897, 1924 - 1930), Grouard Mission
A North West Co. post located at the mouth of the Sacred Heart River on the western shore of Lesser Slave Lake. Also known as Blondin's Fort. The Hudson's Bay Co. built Fort Waterloo nearby in 1815 (HBC records begin 1816). The HBC post was seized by the North West Company in 1817. Only one post was continued after the 1821 merger.

The NWMP established a post on Lesser Slave Lake in 1897 (Fort Grouard ?). The RCMP had a post at nearby Grouard in 1919.

The Hudson's Bay Company post at Lesser Slave Lake was established in 1815 to oppose the North West Company's presence on the lake. There was intense rivalry between the two companies, and in 1816 the HBC post was partially destroyed and its employees imprisoned by Nor'Westers. For two years the HBC abandoned the establishment, but in 1818 the post was re-established. The HBC post was originally on the east side of Lesser Slave Lake, but when the HBC and NWCo. united in 1821, the HBC relocated to the west side of the lake where the NWCo. post had been. The post was the headquarters of the Lesser Slave Lake District until the district's dissolution in 1826. Lesser Slave Lake was abandoned in 1827, but was reopened in 1829. It continued operations for the rest of the century, and in 1909 was renamed Grouard Post, after the town that had developed in the area. The town had been founded by and named after the missionary Mgr. Grouard, vicar apostolic of Athabasca. The HBC post was twelve miles from the railroad, and therefore was an important fur collection point. In 1918 many Aboriginal people of the area died as a result of the influenza epidemic. Grouard was closed in 1933.

Whitefish Lake Posts (1)
(1820's ?, 1878 - 1959), near Atikameg
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located on the western shore of Utikuma Lake. Probably built before 1830. A new post was later established in 1878, replaced by a Northern Store in 1959 (HBC records cover only 1889 and 1896). It was a subpost of Lesser Slave Lake from 1888 to 1918.

A North West Co. post was also nearby by 1820.

The post at Whitefish Lake was established around 1878. It was located 35 miles northeast of Lesser Slave Lake on a small stream flowing out of Whitefish Lake. From 1888 to 1918 Whitefish Lake operated as an outpost of Lesser Slave Lake (called Grouard after 1909). It was situated near an Aboriginal reserve, and so was an important location for the collection of furs.

From 1959 to 1987 Whitefish Lake was under the control of the Northern Stores Department. After 1970 the store was called Atikameg. In 1987 the northern stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Fort Wabiskaw
(1880's ?), near Wabiskaw-Desmarais
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north shore of South Wabiskaw Lake.

Trout Lake Post
(1889 - 1895), Trout Lake
A small Hudson's Bay Co. post at the Trout River outlet.

Trout Lake was established at least by 1881 as an outpost of Lesser Slave Lake, under the direction of Alexis Auger. It was located 110 miles northeast of Lesser Slave Lake, in present-day Alberta, and was reachable by pack-trail in the summer and dog-train in the winter. In 1898 the post was transferred to the Edmonton District and managed in connection with Athabasca Landing. It appears to have been abandoned some time around 1900.

Fort Chipewyan Lake
(1870 ?, 1902 - 1954), Chipewyan Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. It was still active in the 1920's. Located about 50 air miles northeast of Trout Lake.

Chipewyan Lake was likely established in 1902 as an outpost of Wabasca (Wabiskaw). It was located on the south shore of Chipewyan Lake, Alberta, about 120 miles northeast of Wabasca. The Hudsons Bay Company and the Révillon Frčres Trading Company operated sites at Chipewyan Lake in very close proximity to each other until 1935-36, when the HBC took over the Révillon Frčres Trading Company buildings. The HBC did not own the land upon which they operated the Chipewyan Lake post and attempted to apply for license of occupation in 1950 but never obtained it. It is likely that Chipewyan Lake operated as an outpost for Wabasca from inception to the early 1950's. In 1950 a new store was erected at the post and it seems to have operated as an independent post until 1953 when it retured to status as an outpost of Wabasca and terminated operation by 1954.

Encampment Island Fort
(1804 ? - 1808 ?), near Peace River
A North West Co. post located on an island in the Peace River, about 24 miles downriver from (north of) the town Peace River.

Colin Campbell's House
(1820 - 1850's ?), near Deadwood
A North West Co. post located on the Peace River, possibly at or near the mouth of the Cadotte River, or possibly the Whitemud River. Taken over and operated by the HBC after 1821.

McLeod's Fort (1)
(1790's - 1799), near Deadwood
A North West Co. stockaded trade post located on the west bank of the Peace River, below (north of) Campbell's House.

An XY Company post (1790's) was also built nearby.

Horse Shoe House
(1803 - 1805), near Manning
A North West Co. post located on the Peace River, about 18 miles above (south of) the mouth of the Notikewin (aka Battle) River. Abandoned before 1806.

An XY Company post was likely also located nearby during the same time.

Battle River Post
(Notikewin Provincial Park)
(1866, 1875 - 1885, 1887 - 1897), near Manning
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the west bank of the Peace River, at or near the mouth of the Notikewin (aka Battle) River.

The Hudson's Bay Company established a post at Battle River in 1866. It was located on the Peace River, near the mouth of the Battle (or Notikewin) River, in present-day Alberta. The North West Company had previously been in this area with the establishment of Horse Shoe House in 1803, which operated until around 1805.

The HBC built a new post at Battle River around 1875. The post was closed in 1885 due to starvation amongst Aboriginal hunters, but was reopened in 1887 as a wintering outpost of Lesser Slave Lake. In 1897 it was recommended that Battle River be closed, and its business was transferred to Wolverine Point.

Keg River Post
(1850's ? - 1870's ?), near Keg River
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at or near the mouth of the Keg River.

Aspin House
(1792 - 1799 ?), near Paddle Prairie Ferry
A North West Co. post located on the Peace River. Also known as Fort du Tremble.

Lafleur's Post
(1799 ?), near Paddle Prairie Ferry
A trade post (independent ?) located 17 miles below the mouth of the Keg River. Also known as Upper Fort Vermilion.

Finlay House
(1760's ?), near La Crete ?
An independent British trade post located on the south bank of the Peace River about 30 miles upstream from the mouth of the Boyer River. Probably built by James Finlay in or after 1767.

Fort Vermilion (1) (National Historic Site)
(1798 - 1959), Fort Vermilion
A North West Co. post originally located on the Peace River about 90 kilometres (55 miles) upriver from the present town. Taken over by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1822 and then relocated to its present site between 1828 to 1831 (HBC records cover 1802 - 1906). The sole surviving component of the former post, once located at River Road and 45th Street as a private residence, is the "Old Bay House" (built 1907), the former clerk's quarters and Factor's house, which was relocated in 1994 adjacent to the town's Visitor Information Centre. Of interest in town is the Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre at the Community and Cultural Complex.
See also Town of Fort Vermilion Info from Discover the Peace Country.com

The HBC had earlier built Mansfield House here (1802 - 1805) to compete with the NWC's Fort Liard (1802 - 1805), both of which were located at or about the present town site.

In 1802, at the instruction of Peter Fidler, Thomas Swain established Mansfield House in opposition to the North West Company post of Fort Vermilion (1). The post was located on the Peace River, 17 miles below the Keg River, in present-day Alberta. Mansfield House was abandoned in 1803 due to lack of provisions and the refusal of Aboriginal people in the area to work for or trade with the Hudson's Bay Company.

In 1821, after the union of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, the HBC took over operations at the former NWCo. post of Fort Vermilion (1). Earlier, from 1815 to 1816, the HBC had attempted to re-establish their post at Mansfield House, on the Peace River, approximately 17 miles below the Keg River, but this attempt was not successful. In 1825 the HBC post at Dunvegan was temporarily closed, and its business was transferred to Fort Vermilion (1). Around 1828 Fort Vermilion (1) was moved to a location further down the Peace River.

In 1844 the post was called Fort Lefroy after Lieut. J.H. Lefroy, who conducted a magnetic survey of the Canadian northwest from 1842 to 1844. By the late 1840's, however, it was once again known as Fort Vermilion. In the winter of 1868 Reverend W.C. Bompas of the Church Missionary Society arrived at Fort Vermilion and established a mission there. Around the same time, a Roman Catholic mission was also established at the fort. By 1889 17 acres of land were under cultivation at Fort Vermilion, with crops of wheat, barley, and oats. In 1892 the HBC's reserve of land amounted to 500 acres. Fort Vermilion continued to be an important location in the Athabasca District for the collection of furs, notably beaver and marten. In the 1920's the post faced competition from several other traders, including Révillon Frčres, Lamson & Hubbard, and Sheridan Lawrence.

From 1959 to 1987 Fort Vermilion fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1987 the northern stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Charles Boyer's Post
(1788 - 1790 ?), near Fort Vermilion
An independent (or NWCo. ?) trade post located on the north bank of the Peace River at the mouth of the Boyer River, about five miles northeast of town.

Hay River Post
(1920's ?), Meander River
The French trading company Révillon Frčres operated a store here. The company's North American holdings were bought out by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1936.

Fort George (2)
(unknown - 1840 ?), near Steen River ?
A Hudson's Bay Company post located somewhere on the Hay River, which was abandoned before 1840. Possibly located north of the Northwest Territories boundary, and not in Alberta. (see Fort George on NORTHWEST TERRITORIES page)

Little Red River Post (1)
(1800 - 1804), near John D'or Prairie
A North West Co. post on the north bank of the Peace River, opposite the mouth of the Mikkwa (Little Red) River. Reported in ruins by 1805.

Colvile House
(1818 - 1821 ?), near John D'or Prairie
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Peace River below (east of) Fort Vermilion, probably located near the mouth of the Mikkwa River.

Colvile House was established in September 1818 by Joshua Halcro. It was situated on the Peace River, near the junction of the Peace and Loon Rivers in present-day Alberta. It is not clear how long the post was in existence, but it was mentioned in 1828 by Archibald McDonald during a journey from Hudson's Bay to the Pacific.

Red River Post
(1871 - 1924/1959), near John D'or Prairie
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1875 - 1887) located near the Vermilion Falls on the Peace River, near the mouth of the Mikkwa (Little Red) River.

The Hudson's Bay Company post at Red River was established in 1871 by George Kennedy. It was located at the junction of the Red and Peace Rivers, in present-day Alberta. The post was built to accommodate the trade of Cree and Chipewyan hunters of the area who had previously traded at Fort Chipewyan. In the 1920's Red River faced competition from other local traders, including Lamson & Hubbard and Révillon Frčres. In 1924 the HBC built a new trading store and warehouse at Red River. Red River had an outpost that was given post status in 1941-1942 and was named Fifth Meridian.

From 1959 to 1987 Red River fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1962 the store was renamed Fox Lake. In 1987 the northern stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Wentzel's Post
(1799 - unknown), near Fox Lake
A North West Co. post on the Peace River at the mouth of the Wentzel River.

Grand Marais Post
(1798 - 1804), near Garden Creek ?
A North West Co. post located on the Peace River, about 50 miles upriver from Peace Point. Possibly near Trident Creek (?).

John's House
(1818 - unknown), near Peace Point
A North West Co. post located on the Peace River at or near the mouth of the Jackfish River.

Lake Claire Post
(1799 - 1800), Lake Claire
A North West Co. post located at the mouth of the Birch River on Lake Claire. Also known as Porter's Post.

Fort of the Forks (1)
(1788 - 1870), Fort McMurray
A North West Co. post. Taken over by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1822. Replaced by Fort McMurray on or near the same site in 1870.

Fort McMurray (1)
(1870 - 1898, 1913 - 1934), Fort McMurray
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1870 - 1900). Of interest in town is the Fort McMurray Historical Society - Heritage Park, located at 1 Tolen Drive (admission fee).

A Royal North West Mounted Police post was built here in 1914.

Fort McMurray, originally known as the Forks of the Athabasca River, was first mentioned in the minutes of the Council of the Northern Department in 1867. The post, located on the Athabasca River at its confluence with the Clearwater River, served the Athabasca River Cree and Chipewyan people. In 1874 the post was named Fort McMurray after Chief Factor William McMurray. It was closed in 1898, and its business was transferred to Little Red River (called Fort McKay after 1900).

Fort McMurray was re-established in 1913. From 1917 to 1919 it was headquarters of the Mackenzie River District. In 1934 a new combined store and dwelling were built. In 1965 a new store was opened in the Fort McMurray shopping centre. From 1959 to 1987 Fort McMurray fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1987 the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Berens House
(1819 - 1848 ?), near Fort MacKay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located on the east bank of the Athabasca River just south of town, at or near the mouth of the Muskeg River. Named after Joseph Berens, Jr., then HBC Governor at the time. Abandoned before 1848. This was probably an outpost of Fort Chipewyan.

Pierre-au-Calumet Post
(1815 - 1817), near Fort MacKay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the east bank of the Athabasca River across from town, and opposite Calumet Creek, about ten miles below (downstream of) the mouth of the Muskeg River. Seized and plundered by the North West Company in 1817.

Fort MacKay
(1870 ?/1891 ? - 1911), Fort MacKay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Originally known as Old Red River House. The Old Red River was renamed MacKay River in 1912.

Fort McKay started as an outpost of Fort McMurray, and was first called Little Red River (2). It was established at least by 1895. In 1898 Fort McMurray was closed and its business was transferred to Little Red River, which temporarily became known as Fort McMurray (2). In 1900 the post was renamed Fort McKay. It was located on the Athabasca River, about 36 miles downstream from the original site of Fort McMurray.

From 1938 to 1946 Fort McKay was again managed as an outpost of Fort McMurray. From 1959 to 1975 it fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. Fort McKay was closed in November 1975.

Peter Pond's Fort
(1778 - 1789), Embarras Portage
An independent British trade post on the west bank of the Athabasca River at the Embarras River portage, about 30 miles from Lake Athabasca. Later operated by the North West Co., known as Athabasca House. It was later known as the Old Establishment after Fort Chipewyan was built in 1788.

Pond's Fort was established in 1778 by fur trader Peter Pond. It was located approximately 30 miles from the mouth of the Athabasca River and it was the first fur trading post in the area. Initially Peter Pond was partnered with a variety of individuals and fur trading firms. However, in 1783 he became a partner in the North West Company and thereby Pond's Fort fell under their administrative umbrella and became central to their fur trading enterprises. For almost a decade, Pond's Fort was the only post in the Athabasca region and was very successful. It had numerous men stationed there and carried on substantial trading activities. Furthermore, Peter Pond used the fort as a base to build other North West Company posts and establish their dominance and influence in the region.

By 1786 Pond's Fort began to receive competition from John Ross, who constructed a fur trading post near Pond's Fort and was backed by the firm of Gregory, McLeod and Company. Conflict and competition between the two escalated and in the winter of 1786-1787 John Ross was murdered. Although the level of Peter Pond's involvement in the incident is unclear, soon after, Alexander Mackenzie was sent to replace Pond and manage the North West Company's activities at Pond's Fort and in the Athabasca region. In the spring of 1789, due to its location, its unsuitability as a base for exploration and the needs of the expanding fur trade, Pond's Fort was replaced by a new North West Company post called Fort Chipewyan. Although largely abandoned by the North West Company, Pond's Fort was occasionaly being used as a wintering post for Fort Chipewyan as late as 1791.

John Ross' Post
(1786 - 1787), Embarras Portage
An independent British trade post on the Athabasca River at the Embarras River portage. Ross was killed by Peter Pond (or one of his servants) in early 1787.

Lake Athabasca Post (1) ?
(1791 - 1792), Old Fort Bay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the mouth of the Old Fort River, on the southern shore of Lake Athabasca. This post may have also been used as a wintering post by American fur traders at one time (date ?).

Lake Athabasca was established as a Hudson's Bay Company post by Malcolm Ross in 1791. Ross had travelled with Philip Turnor, Peter Fidler, and others from Cumberland House to Ile-ŕ-la-Crosse in the fall of 1790. After wintering at Ile-ŕ-la-Crosse, Ross and his party proceeded to Lake Athabasca in the spring of 1791 and established an HBC post on the south-east shore of the lake, in opposition to the North West Company post of Fort Chipewyan. William Tomison, chief of York Factory inland district, made the decision to abandon Lake Athabasca in 1792, despite Philip Turnor's recommendation that the post continue its operations.

Fort Chipewyan (National Historic Site)
(1788 - 1939/1959), Fort Chipewyan
Originally established at Old Fort Bay by fur trader Roderick Mackenzie of the North West Company. His cousin Sir Alexander Mackenzie departed from this post on an expedition which led to the discovery of the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories in 1789. Relocated in 1804 to its present site, but the original site continued to be used until 1820. No remaining above-ground structures from the original post. The HBC took over the new post in 1822 (HBC records end 1927). The post was rebuilt and expanded in 1872. The Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum is in a recreated 1870's era Hudson's Bay Co. store (admission fee), located at 109 Mackenzie Ave.. See also History of Fort Chipewyan from Alberta Online Encyclopedia

The NWMP established a post here in 1897.

The Hudson's Bay Company originally established Nottingham House (1802 - 1808), under Peter Fidler, on English Island to compete with the NWCo..

An XY Company trade post (Lake Athabasca Post (2)) (1800 - 1804) was located on Little Island, about one mile north of town.

Fort Chipewyan was a North West Company post on Lake Athabasca that had been established in 1788. The Hudson's Bay Company set up an opposing post in the area in 1802, when Peter Fidler established Nottingham House on English Island. The post was abandoned in 1806, however, due to intense rivalry with the Nor'Westers.

In 1815 John Clarke established another HBC post, known as Fort Wedderburn, on Coal or Potato Island in Lake Athabasca, in an attempt to take control of trade in the area from the NWCo.. It operated until 1821, when the HBC and NWCo. merged. After the union, the HBC abandoned Fort Wedderburn, moving operations to the NWCo. site of Fort Chipewyan, which since 1803 was situated at a rocky point called "Monument Hill" on the north west shore of Lake Athabasca. Fort Chipewyan continued to be a central part of the fur trade in the Athabasca District throughout the 19th century, acting as district headquarters from 1821 to 1837 and 1839 to 1917. It was a site visited by missionaries to the area as well, with Methodist Reverend James Evans visiting the fort in 1841, Father Alexandre Taché visiting in 1847, and Anglican Archdeacon J. Hunter visiting in 1858.

In 1939 all the HBC buildings were demolished, except the chief factor's residence. From 1959 to 1987 Fort Chipewyan fell under the control of the Northern Stores Department. In 1987 the northern stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Fort Wedderburn
(1815 - 1822), near Fort Chipewyan
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Located about one mile west of Fort Chipewyan, on Coal (aka Potato) Island across the Rivičre des Rochers. Seized by the NWCo. in March 1817, but returned in 1818.

Fort Fitzgerald
(unknown dates), Fitzgerald
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, originally known as Salt River House.

The RCMP had a post here in 1919.

NOTE: Many of the Hudson's Bay Company post descriptions are courtesy of the HBC Archives.

Southern Alberta - page 1

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