Northern Québec and Gaspé

Last Update: 19/JULY/2008

NOTE: The northern reaches of the province, known as New Québec, were once part of the Hudson's Bay Company's Prince Rupert's Land, and was then the Ungava District of the Northwest Territories from 1895 to 1912. The border with Labrador was settled in 1927.

There are/were approximately 83 Hudson's Bay Co. posts in this province. No attempt is being made at this time to include all of them on this page.

Percé Battery
(1780 - 1782), Percé
A two-gun shore battery used against American privateers. It was captured and destroyed during a second raid.

¤¤ COAST ARTILLERY DEFENCES, GASPÉ BAY
View Gaspé map

¤¤ Fort Haldimand
(1939 - 1945), Haldimand, Sandy Beach
Headquarters of the Harbor Defence. Two 75mm guns were located here from 1939 - 1943. The site is now a campground.

¤¤ Fort Peninsula
(Forillon National Park)
(1939 - 1944), Penouille
The examination battery for the Gaspé Defences, located directly across the bay from Fort Haldimand. Two casemated 4.7-inch quick-firing guns are still located here. An observation post was located nearby at the Cap-Gaspé Lighthouse. Admission fee to park.

¤¤ Fort Prével
(1939 - 1943), Fort-Prével
A World War II coastal defence fort on the Gaspé penninsula near Douglastown. This fort was armed with two US M1888 10-inch guns, one on a M1893 disappearing carriage, and the other on a M1894M1 barbette carriage. Some ruins of the batteries remain. A gun replica at the battery is not original. The barracks have been renovated into a resort inn, and the grounds are now a golf course. The magazines still exist. The Battery Commander's Post has been re-utilized as a golf tee. An observation post and command post were located nearby at Bois Brule Head, and another observation post was located at Pointe-Saint-Pierre.

¤¤ Fort Ramsay
(1757, 1765 - unknown, 1942 - 1945 ?), Gaspé
Pointe-McConnell was originally fortified in 1757 by the French. It was next fortified by the British in 1765. It received its current name probably in 1826. It was in ruins by 1834. This area was the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Navy Detachment during WWII. Near the site is now a modern campground and hotel complex which has taken the name. Near Red Head was the Navy Port War Signal Station.

Le Vieux-Fort (1) ?
(unknown dates), Vieux-Fort
Probably a French fur trade post.

Tadoussac Trading Post
(1600 - 1601, 1628), Tadoussac
Originally a short-lived minimally fortified French trading house/habitation, established by Pierre Chauvin de Tonnetuit. Sixteen men were left here for the winter. The survivors returned to France in the spring.
A trading post was later re-established here by the French, and was captured by the English in 1628, returned by treaty in 1632.

Fort Chicoutimi
(unknown dates), Chicoutimi
A French fur trade post.

Fort Métabéchouan
(unknown dates), Métabéchouan
A French fur trade post on Lac Saint-Jean.

Fort Ingall
(1839 - 1842), Cabano
The palisaded wooden blockhouse was abandoned after the Aroostook War. It was reconstructed in 1973. Admission fee.

Dégelis Fort
(1839 - 1842), Dégelis
A British blockhouse during the Aroostook War. No remains.

Cap Tourmente Post
(1628), Cap-Tourmente
A French outpost settlement that was attacked and destroyed by the English in 1628.

Fort Témiscamingue (National Historic Park)
(1668 - 1688, 1720 - 1758, unknown - 1830), Ville-Marie
This was the main French trading post between the upper Ottawa River and the Hudson's Bay. Originally described as a house on a small island with 14 traders. Abandoned due to Indian hostility. Re-established later with as many as 60 traders. French soldiers were withdrawn in 1758. Later became a Hudson's Bay Co. post. Admission fee.

Fort Abitibi
(1686 - 1758, 1794 - 1921), near La Sarre
Originally a French trading post, said to have been built on a hill near Lake Abitibi in three days by the Chevalier de Troye Expedition. A subpost of Fort Témiscamingue. French troops were withdrawn in 1758, although a few traders possibly remained. Later became a Hudson's Bay Co. post, also known as Abitibi House. Also spelled Abbitibby.

Rupert's Fort (2)
(unknown - 1941), Waskaganish
Also known as Rupert House and Fort Rupert (2), a Hudson's Bay Co. post. This was possibly the relocated site of Fort Rupert (1) after 1713.

Fort Charles
(1668 - unknown), near Waskaganish
A British trading post between Rupert's Fort (2) and Moose Factory, Ontario. Stone houses surrounded by a palisade. Also known as Charles Fort. Renamed Fort Rupert (1) in 1670 when the region was granted to the Hudson's Bay Company. The French captured it in June 1686, and renamed it Fort St. Jacques. Recaptured by the British in 1693. Captured again by the French in September 1697. It was finally returned to the British in 1713. A fur trade depot was located just offshore on Charlton Island, Nunavut (see also). It too was captured by the French during their tenure.

In the winter of 1610 - 1611 explorer Henry Hudson had a house built here.

Fort George
(1820 - 1848), Fort George
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, also known as Big River Post, Great River Post, Shayseppy Post, and Keeshay Post.

Fort Richmond
(1750 - 1927), Umiujaq
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Fort Mackenzie
(1930 - 1939), Fort Mackenzie
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Fort Trial
(1841 - 1842), undetermined
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the George River near the Labrador border.

Fort Chimo
(1830 - 1939), Kuujjuaq
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, also known as Fort Good Hope.

Mainewan Post
(1844 - unknown), near Chakonipau
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on Lake Minowean, a subpost of Fort Nascopie, Labrador.

NEED MORE INFO:
Towns: Vieux-Fort on the Strait of Belle Isle; Poste-de-la-Baleine (aka Kuujjuarapik) on Hudson Bay.

Southern Québec - page 1 | Québec City - page 2

Special thanks to Robert D. Zink of the Coast Defense Study Group for providing info on the Coast Artillery Defences of Gaspé Bay.