Northern Saskatchewan

Last Update: 25/AUGUST/2025

Namew Lake Post
(1778), near Sturgeon Landing
A North West Co. post.

Beaver Lake Portage Post
(1906 - 1910 ?), near Sturgeon Landing ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Beaver Lake Portage was an outpost of Cumberland House. A warehouse was built at the site in 1906, and operated until at least 1910. It was located on the Saskatchewan River, close to the present-day Saskatchewan/Manitoba border. It is not known exactly when Beaver Lake Portage was closed, but it was no longer operating by 1922.

Beaver Lake Posts
(1775, 1776), Amisk Lake, near Denare Beach
An independent British trade post (Alexander Henry, Sr. and Joseph Frobisher) was first located here in 1775, about midway on the eastern shore of the lake, where the site was excavated in 1954 and again in 1994.

A Hudson's Bay Co. post was located here in 1776, probably on the south end of the lake at the Sturgeon-Weir River.

Creighton Post
(unknown dates), Creighton
A Royal North West Mounted Police post. The RNWMP Post Museum is located at 216 Creighton Ave..

Pelican Lake Posts
(1798 - 1799, 1817 - 1819, 1868 - 1940), Pelican Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records begin 1817). Also known as Pelican Narrows Post after relocating to the present town in 1874.

The North West Company's Pelican Lake House (1779 - 1780) was first located here.

During the winter of 1798-1799, the HBC first operated a post at Pelican Narrows, first known as Pelican Lake. It was located on the north end of Pelican Lake near the narrows between Pelican Lake and Mirond Lake, on the route between Reindeer Lake and Cumberland House. After 1799 Pelican Lake was abandoned and reopened briefly for the 1817-1818 and 1818-1819 trading seasons.

In 1868 Pelican Lake was re-established. In 1876 its name was changed to Pelican Narrows. Beginning in 1959 Pelican Narrows became a Northern Store and operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Sturgeon Creek Post
(1800 - 1801), near Sandy Bay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Churchill River.

Sturgeon Creek was established some time before 1800 along the Churchill River just west of what is now the Saskatchewan provincial border. It served as an inland trading house in the Churchill District. It is unclear how long Sturgeon Creek operated.

Island Falls Post
(1938), Sandy Bay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Churchill River.

Island Falls was established in 1938 as an outpost of Pelican Narrows. It was located northeast of Pelican Narrows near the Churchill River. It appears that Island Falls was closed by the end of that season.

Fairford House
(1795 - 1796),
A small Hudson's Bay Co. post located on the Churchill River about one mile below its confluence with the Reindeer River.

Fairford House was established in 1795 by Malcolm Ross, located at the confluence of the Churchill and Reindeer Rivers. It was probably abandoned shortly after the 1795-1796 trading season.

Egg Lake Post (1)
(1809 - 1811),
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the confluence of the Reindeer and Churchill Rivers. Also known as Bedford House (2).

Egg Lake, also known as Bedford House (2), was established in 1809 by John Pocock Holmes. It was located on the lake of the same name near the confluence of the Reindeer Lake and Churchill Rivers in present-day Saskatchewan. Holmes was obliged to set up a house at this location when his Aboriginal guides, who were guiding him between Frog Portage and Cumberland House, refused to go any further. Egg Lake competed with a nearby Canadian trading post. In June 1811 Holmes left Egg Lake for Sandy Point and left Edward Mowat in charge. It is unclear if Egg Lake operated after this date.

Reindeer River Post
(1792, 1795), near Southend
A North West Co. post at the Reindeer River outlet. Rebuilt (?) in 1795.

South Reindeer Lake Post
(1936 - 1959), near Southend
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Reindeer River south of town, on Big Island (HBC records end 1941).

In 1936 the Hudson's Bay Company acquired all of the trading posts of their rival, Révillon Frères, including the post at South Reindeer Lake. It was located on the southern tip of Reindeer Lake in Saskatchewan. In 1950 the post's name was changed to Southend to reflect the name of the village in which it was situated. In 1959 the administration of South Reindeer Lake was transferred to the Northern Stores Department. It operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Reindeer Lake Post
(1798 - 1892), near Southend
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at Sucker Point, opposite Deep Bay. Also known as Clapham House (1808).

Reindeer Lake, also known as Deer Lake, was established in 1798 during David Thompson's survey of plausible routes to the Athabasca. The post was located on the southern end of Reindeer Lake on the west shore. For a short time in 1808, it was known as Clapham House. In the spring of 1817 the buildings at Reindeer Lake were destroyed by the North West Company. The post was rebuilt in the fall of 1818. In 1822 Reindeer Lake was abandoned. It reopened two years later and remained in continuous operation until 1872. At this time, it was abandoned and its business was moved to the newly established post at Pelican Narrows. In the next few years, Reindeer Lake operated sporadically until 1886 when it was re-established permanently. In 1894 Reindeer Lake closed.

Bedford House (1)
(1796 - 1817, 1830's ? - 1870's ?), Bedford Island, Reindeer Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1796 - 1797) located on Bedford Island, near the mouth of the Wathaman River, along the northwestern shore of Reindeer Lake. Attacked and destroyed by the North West Company in 1817. Re-opened later by the 1830's.

To the south on Vermilion Point was the North West Co.'s Lac des Cariboux Post, built before 1790 (1790 ?, 1805 - unknown).

Fort du Traite
(1774, 1776, unknown - 1821), Trade Lake
An independent British trade post (Joseph Frobisher) on the Churchill River, on the north side of Trade Lake. Also known as Frog Portage Fort. Later became a North West Co. post before the merger with the HBC.

Rapid River Posts
(1780, 1796 - 1941), near Stanley Mission
Three different independent British trade posts were located here; two sites dated to 1780, and a third site dated to 1798.

A Hudson's Bay Co. post was originally located on the Rapid River near here in 1796, relocated about 10 miles west in 1831. Probably relocated again in 1898. The HBC post (Stanley House) (1853) (HBC records begin 1856) was on the south bank of the Churchill River, opposite the mission. The Anglican Church's Stanley Mission was established in 1851 at Church Mission Point, across from the present-day community. The historic mission site is now a part of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. The Old Fort Indian Reserve is located south of Stanley Mission, on the northeast shore of Lac La Ronge. See also History of Stanley Mission from Stanley Mission Cree Nation

Rapid River was established in 1831 to take over the business of the recently abandoned post at Lac la Ronge. Rapid River was designed to accommodate Cree and Chipewyan hunters from Lac la Ronge and Deer Lake respectively. It was originally located at the confluence of the Rapid and Churchill Rivers at the outlet of Lac la Ronge. In 1853 Rapid River moved to an island on the Churchill River near the Stanley Mission, an Anglican mission established two years earlier. Between 1886 and 1894, Rapid River operated an outpost at Bigstone River. In 1894 Rapid River was abandoned and its business moved back to the post at Lac la Ronge. After this year, a few trade goods were kept at Rapid River and the house was periodically visited by a clerk. At some point during this time, the HBC opened Stanley outpost in the Stanley Mission settlement in order to keep up periodic trade in the area. In 1916 Stanley was made a full post. In 1936 the HBC purchased the Révillon Frères post located in Stanley and took over its buildings. In 1942 the entire post was rebuilt. In 1959 Stanley became a Northern Store. It operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Fraser's House
(1790), McIntosh Lake
Originally a North West Co. post on the Churchill River.

McIntosh Lake Post was located here in 1798 (NWCo. ?).

Peter Pond's Post (2)
(1781 - 1782), near Sucker River
An independent British trade post on the northwest shore of Lac La Ronge. Pond did not become a partner in the Northwest Company until 1785.

Lac La Ronge Posts
(1782 - 1798), La Ronge
Originally a North West Co. post (possibly established by Jean-Étienne Wadins, who was killed by Peter Pond in March 1782). The post was possibly relocated in 1793. Used in 1795-96 and 1798.

A Hudson's Bay Co. post was located here beginning in 1807 (HBC records begin 1797).

Lac la Ronge was established in 1797 on the northeast shore of the lake of the same name. The post was built by George Charles, sent from Indian Lake to establish further trade for the Churchill District. Before this the lake had been the wintering site of at least two notable explorers, Peter Pond (1780-1782) and Simon Fraser (1795-1796). The HBC post was in operation for the 1797-1798 trade season and reopened again in 1807. In 1823 the HBC began considering the abandonment of Lac la Ronge. It was finally closed in 1831 and replaced by Rapid River post, which was situated at a better spot to trade with Aboriginal hunters from both Lac la Ronge and Reindeer Lake.

In 1894 Lac la Ronge was re-established. In the early 1930's it operated an outpost at Churchill River. In June 1921 the HBC post was moved to a site next to its rival, the Révillon Frères, located on the north side of the lake. The Révillon Frères post was acquired by the HBC in 1936 and Lac la Ronge post took over this site. In 1950 the Lac la Ronge townsite was renamed La Ronge. In 1959 Lac la Ronge became a Northern Store, administered by the Northern Stores Department. It continued to function as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Big Stone River Post
(1887 - 1894), near La Ronge
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on Big Stone Lake, west of town.

Bigstone River was established in 1886 as an outpost of Rapid River. It was located about 95 kilometres from Rapid River, south of Lac la Ronge. By 1894 Bigstone River was closed.

Montreal Lake Post
(1891 - 1937), Montreal Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1894 - 1941).

Montreal Lake was established in the summer of 1891 as a winter trade post and depot for freight. It was located on the south shore of the lake of the same name. In 1922 the saleshop and dwelling house were moved to a different site nearby. In 1936, as part of a wider purchase, the HBC bought the Révillion Frères store at Montreal Lake. The next year the old HBC post was abandoned and a new one built across the road from the former Révillon Frères buildings. In 1959 the administration of Montreal Lake was transferred to the Northern Stores Department. It operated as a Northern Store until July 1973 when it was closed.

Candle Lake Post
(1887 - 1889), Candle Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Candle Lake was established in the 1880's as an outpost for Fort à la Corne (2). It was located about 110 kilometres north of its parent post. After 1889 Candle Lake appears to have closed.

Souris River Post (1)
(1875 - 1939), near Sandfly Lake ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post along the Churchill River.

Souris River was created in the fall of 1875 as a winter outpost for Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located on the Churchill River about 145 kilometres northeast from Ile-a-la-Crosse. In 1905 Souris River became a full post. It operated outposts at The Dipper and Pine River in the early twentieth century. In September 1936 Souris River moved its operations into the old Révillon Frères buildings. In 1940 the post closed.

Lac des Serpents Posts
(1786 - unknown), near Pinehouse Lake
A North West Co. post and a competing independent British trade post were located near the mouth of the Tippo River (Pinehouse Lake). Also known as Pine House.

Sandy Lake Post
(1885 - 1934), Sandy Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post along the Churchill River (HBC records end 1909).

Sandy Lake was established by 1885 as an outpost of Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located on the Churchill River, northwest of Ile-a-la-Crosse. During the 1930's Sandy Lake was an outpost for Pine River. It was closed around 1934.

Primeau Lake Post
(1775), Primeau Lake
An independent British trade post (by Louis Primeau ?) on the Churchill River.

Pine River Post
(1921 - 1941), Patuanak
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Pine River was established in 1921 on the north shore of Lac Ile-a-la-Crosse. During the 1930's it operated outposts at Cree Lake and Sandy Lake. The settlement and post changed its name to Patuanak in 1950. In 1959 the HBC post at Patuanak became a Northern Store. It operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Fort Black
(1800), near Île-à-la-Crosse
An XY Co. post on the Churchill River (Lac Île-à-la-Crosse), possibly on Black Bay.

Île-à-la-Crosse Posts
(1776 - 1940), Île-à-la-Crosse
Originally a North West Co. post built by Thomas Frobisher (brother to Joseph and Benjamin). Relocated in 1791 to the west shore, until 1822. Also known as Fort Superior after 1820.

A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records begin 1805) was also located here in 1791, relocated in 1799. Attacked by the Northwest Company in 1808, and rebuilt in 1809. Attacked again by the NWCo. in 1817 and rebuilt.

In 1799 the first Hudson's Bay Company post was established at Ile-a-la-Crosse by William Auld and William Linklater. Nine years earlier, Philip Turnor, Malcolm Ross, and Peter Fidler had wintered near the site in two houses loaned to them by North West Company men. The HBC post was located at the bottom of a bay on the south end of Ile-a-la-Crosse Lake. In 1806 Ile-a-la-Crosse was abandoned. Three years later it was re-established by Peter Fidler, only to be burned down in July 1811. In the autumn of 1814 Ile-a-la-Crosse was opened once again.

In 1822 the English River District was created as part of the HBC's wider restructuring after its amalgamation with the North West Company. Ile-a-la-Crosse served as the district headquarters until the district's dissolution in 1901. Ile-a-la-Crosse was an important post since the English River District encompassed waterways that led to the all-important Athabasca region. Ile-a-la-Crosse continued to operate into the twentieth century. In 1959 the post became a Northern Store. It operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Beauval Post
(1937 - 1940), Beauval
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Beauval was established in 1933 as an outpost of Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located at the site of the present town of the same name, on the Dore River in present-day Saskatchewan. The site was originally used as a stopping place for ox-cart freighters who took advantage of its extensive hay flats. In 1935 Beauval became a full post. In 1959 Beauval became a Northern Store. It operated as such until 1987 when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Canoe Lake Post
(1889 - 1933), Canoe Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records end 1912).

Canoe Lake was established in 1889 as a winter outpost of Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located on the lake of the same name in present day northern Saskatchewan. In 1933 Canoe Lake was abandoned.

Green Lake Post (1)
(1789 - 1822), Green Lake
A North West Co. post, originally located at the southern end of the lake, possibly rebuilt in 1793, then relocated to the northern end of the lake in 1798, on the east side of the Green River outlet.

A North West Co. wintering post was said to have been located here as early as 1781.

The Hudson's Bay Co.'s Essex House (1799 - 1942) was located at the northern end of the lake. Also known later as Green Lake Post (2). It was attacked and burned by the North West Co. in 1805, then closed until 1810 when it was rebuilt. It was attacked again by the North West Co. in December 1816 and yet again in March 1817. Sometime after the 1822 merger, the post was closed for several years, until 1831. In April 1885 during the Riel Rebellion the HBC post was attacked and looted by Cree Indians and/or Métis. The old post was closed in 1942 and replaced with a new HBC retail store, which closed in 1973.

A Révillon Frères trade post was opened here in 1900.

Green Lake (2) was established in 1799 by William Auld, shortly after the establishment of Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located on Green Lake River, a few miles up from its confluence with the Beaver River and close to a rival Canadian post. In 1805 Green Lake was burned down by Canadians and rebuilt soon after. In 1817 North West Company men took the HBC men at Green Lake prisoner and seized the property. The HBC re-established itself at the site a year later. In 1822 Green Lake was closed and its business moved to Cold Lake (Manitoba). Green Lake was re-established in 1831 and operated continuously thereafter. In the early 1890's it operated an outpost at Lake Assiniboine. In 1959 Green Lake became a Northern Store. It operated as such until May 1975 when it was closed.

Bolsover House
(1799 - 1800), Meadow Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the Meadow River outflow.

Bolsover House was built in the fall of 1799 by Peter Fidler on present-day Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan (then known as Barren Ground Lake). It was named for Fidler's home in Bolsover, Derbyshire. Bolsover House operated for that trading season and was closed in April 1800.

Waterhen Lake Post
(unknown dates), Waterhen Lake
A North West Co. post.

Island Lake Post
(1885 - 1918), Lac des Îles
A Hudson's Bay Co. outpost, near Pierceland. A subpost of Fort Pitt and then Onion Lake Post.

Island Lake Outpost was established circa 1885 as an outpost of Fort Pitt. It was located about 45 miles northeast of Fort Pitt near Lac des Iles, in present-day Saskatchewan. In 1890 Fort Pitt was made an outpost of Onion Lake and Island Lake Outpost fell under the administration there. During the HBC's reorganization of its fur trade posts in 1901, Island Lake Outpost was placed under the administration of the newly established Saskatchewan District and remained under that administration until its closing circa 1918, when Fort Pitt was closed.

Lac des Boeufs Post
(1790 - 1822), near Dillon
A North West Co. post at the north end of Buffalo Lake, now Peter Pond Lake.

The Hudson's Bay Co. built Buffalo Lake House at Buffalo Narrows in 1791, between Peter Pond Lake and Churchill Lake (ex-Clear Lake). This post was likely continued after 1822.

Buffalo Narrows was established in 1888 as an outpost for Ile-a-la-Crosse in order to counter competition from independent traders. It was located on the north shore of Peter Pond Lake (known then as Buffalo Lake) at the lake's narrows with Churchill Lake. From 1890 - 1892 Buffalo Narrows was also known as Buffalo River. In 1916 the post began operating as an outpost for Buffalo River. In 1942 Buffalo Narrows gained full post status in order to serve the commercial fishing business in the area. In 1959 Buffalo Narrows was transferred to the administration of the Northern Stores Department. It operated as a Northern Store until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Buffalo River Post
(1889 - 1940), near Michel or St. George's Hill
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the west shore of Peter Pond Lake.

Buffalo River was established in 1903 as an outpost of Ile-a-la-Crosse. The HBC had occupied a temporary post at the site in the early nineteenth century. It was located at the headwaters of the Churchill River on the south shore of Peter Pond Lake. In 1916 Buffalo River became a full post. During the 1920's it operated outposts at Clear Lake, Island Lake, Buffalo Narrows, White Fish River, and Bull's House. Between 1929 and 1934, Buffalo River was administered as an outpost of Clear Lake before regaining full post status. In 1935 the HBC purchased and moved into the former Révillon Frères building. In 1942 the Buffalo River townsite changed its name to Dillon. In 1959 the post at Dillon became a Northern Store. It operated as such until 1987, when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Clear Lake Post
(1904 - 1941), Churchill Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Simonds Channel on the north shore of Churchill Lake.

Clear Lake was established in 1921 as an outpost of Buffalo River. It was located on the north end of Churchill Lake at its narrows with Frobisher Lake. In 1928 Clear Lake became a full post and, the next year, administered Buffalo River as an outpost. In 1932 the HBC moved its Clear Lake operations into the recently purchased Révillon Frères buildings. In 1942 Clear Lake was closed.

Lac La Loche Posts
(1780 - 1834 ?), Lac La Loche
A North West Co. post on the northwest shore of the lake. Relocated in 1819 to the south shore of the lake.

The Hudson's Bay Co. also had a post on the west shore of the lake in 1819, relocated to the northeast shore of the lake in 1830.

La Loche Portage Post
(Clearwater River Provincial Park)
(1834 - 1932), near La Loche West
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the portage between Lac La Loche and the Clearwater River to the north. Also known as Methy Portage Post.

John Clarke established a Hudson's Bay Company outpost at Portage la Loche in 1819 under the charge of Messrs. Perrin and Swaine. It was situated at the Methye Portage, the height of land separating the waters running into Hudson Bay from those flowing northward into the Arctic, at the junction of the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. In 1820 Governor George Simpson recommended that the site be abandoned in favour of a site on the side of the portage nearest Ile-a-la-Crosse. After the union of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821, the post does not appear to have continued operating. However, the portage itself was a thoroughfare for the fur trade for several decades, with brigades of York boats from the Red River Settlement coming to Portage la Loche to meet with tripmen from the north.

In 1853 a post was re-established at Portage la Loche. By 1873 the post had been moved to the west side of Lake la Loche, away from the portage and in 1897 a proposal was made to move the post to the long point running out into the lake. In 1959 the Northern Stores Department was established, and Portage la Loche fell under its jurisdiction. In 1987 the store was sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Gwillim Lake Post
(unknown dates), Gwillim Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. It was noted as abandoned before 1885. Located southwest of Cree Lake, and about 75 miles north of Lac Île-à-la-Crosse.

Cree Lake Post
(1891 - 1942), Cree Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the southwestern shore of the lake (HBC records cover 1891 - 1902).

Cree Lake was established in the fall of 1891 as an outpost of Ile-a-la-Crosse. It was located on Sandy Lake on the headwaters of the Little Deer River, near the divide between the waters of Athabasca Lake and the Churchill River. Cree Lake served Aboriginal people sent from Ile-a-la-Crosse whose land was almost destitute of food and fur-bearing animals. In 1935 Cree Lake became an outpost of Pine River and operated as such until 1942, at which time it was closed.

Fond du Lac Post (2)
(1845 ?/1849 - 1959), Fond-du-Lac
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north shore (HBC records cover 1851 - 1909).

Fond du Lac (2) was established ca. 1849 so that the Hudson's Bay Company could collect furs from Chipewyan people who hunted on the barren ground. It was situated on the northern shore of Lake Athabasca, at the eastern end of the lake, in present-day Saskatchewan. In the 1920's Fond du Lac faced competition from other traders in the area, including Lamson & Hubbard, and Roderick Fraser. From 1959 to 1987, Fond du Lac 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).

Fond du Lac Post (1)
(1800 ? / 1816 ? - 1822), Lake Athabasca
A North West Co. post on the north shore of Lake Athabasca, near Beaverlodge Lake, or the south shore of Black Bay.

The Hudson's Bay Co.'s Harrison's House (1819 - 1851) (HBC records begin 1816) was located somewhere on the south shore of Lake Athabasca.

Fond du Lac (1) operated as a North West Company post as early as 1800. It was located near the eastern end of Lake Athabaska. When the North West Company amalgamated with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821, Fond du Lac was closed.

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

Southern Saskatchewan - page 1

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