Northwest Territories Forts

Canadian Forts

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Last Update: 15/AUGUST/2025

NOTE: Established in 1820, administered by the Hudson's Bay Company until 1869 as part of Prince Rupert's Land (granted to HBC in 1670 by the British Crown).
Independent and commercial (non HBC) trading posts established after 1870 are not included here.

Fort Smith
(1874 - 1897/1956), Fort Smith
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records begin 1875) on the northern rapids of the Slave River at the Alberta border. HBC retail operations have continued here to the present. Of interest in town is the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre at 110 King Street. The city is located adjacent to Wood Buffalo National Park.

The HBC originally built Smith's Landing Post at the southern rapids in 1872.

The North West Mounted Police also later established a post here at Fort Smith (date ?).

Fort Smith was established in 1874 on the Slave River, just below the 5 Portage Rapids. From 1863-1874 the HBC operated a temporary trading station at Salt River, which was used as a guard post between the Athabasca and Mackenzie River Districts. The post was moved to the Fort Smith location in 1874 to facilitate steamer traffic on the lower Slave River. In 1878 a new servant's house and store were erected at Fort Smith. In 1908 a landslide destroyed some buildings at the post, including the warehouse. Fort Smith was rebuilt in 1929. Again in 1933, some post buildings were destroyed by both fire and flooding. In 1956 a new store was built at Fort Smith, and in 1958, 1963, and 1967, extensions were added to the store. From 1959 to 1987 Fort Smith 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).

Salt River Post
(1863 - 1874, 1927 ? - 1937), Salt River
An HBC outpost located just northwest of Fort Smith, a subpost of Fort Smith.

Slave River Post (2)
(1927 - 1928), near Salt River
An HBC outpost located just downriver from Salt River, just below the "Grand Detour", on the east bank at "Michael's Place".

Chiswick House
(1803 - 1806), near Fort Resolution
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the mouth of the Slave River.

Chiswick House was established in the fall of 1803 by Thomas Swain on the Slave River delta at the south shore of Great Slave Lake. After closing Mansfield House in July 1803, Swain was instructed by Peter Fidler to go north to Great Slave Lake to establish a house near the North West Company post. Chiswick House was in operation until 1806.

Fort Resolution (National Historic Site)
(1786/1818 - 1926/1959), Fort Resolution (Deninu Kue)
The first fur trade posts on Great Slave Lake were established in 1786 by Cuthbert Grant Sr. of the North West Company and his rival Laurent Leroux of the "Little Company". These included Grant’s Slave River Fort (1), which was twice moved westward, finally settling on Moose Deer Island near the mouth of the Slave River in 1791. This post remained largely unchallenged by competing traders until, in 1818, Aualay McAulay of the Hudson's Bay Company built a competing post nearby, which he named Fort Resolution (aka Great Slave Lake Post). After the union of the two companies in 1821 the two forts were merged, and were moved to a small peninsula facing the Resolution Islands. Fort Resolution became the Hudson's Bay Company's principal post on the lake, and remains an active community. There are no above ground remains of the original post.

The North West Mounted Police established a post here in 1913. Patrols were made here as early as 1897 from posts in Alberta.

Fort Resolution was established in 1815 on Moose Deer Island near the entrance of the Slave River. In 1822 the post was moved to Point Brules, about a mile from the island on the shore of Great Slave Lake and was at this time named Fort Resolution. In 1868 Fond du Lac (King's Post) was established as an outpost of Fort Resolution at the east end of Great Slave Lake.

From 1959 to 1987 Fort Resolution 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).

Rocher River Post
(1921 ? - 1963), near Fort Resolution
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located on Great Slave Lake, east of the Slave River delta.

Thekulthili Lake Post
(1924 - 1925), Thekulthili Lake
An HBC post located northeast of Fort Smith, at the head of the Thekulthili River at the south end of Thekulthili Lake.

Snowdrift Post
(1926 - unknown), Snowdrift (Lutselk'e)
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the mouth of the Snowdrift River. The settlement was renamed in 1992.

Fort Reliance (National Historic Site)
(1833 - 1834, 1855), Reliance
Originally built in 1833 by Alexander McLeod of the Hudson’s Bay Company for the use of Capt. George Back, of the British Royal Navy, during the Arctic Land Expedition to the Arctic Ocean via the Back River. The expedition, partly scientific and partly searching for the missing Capt. John Ross (since 1829), used Fort Reliance as a winter camp. Back's fort was made up of a main house with several smaller ones that were constructed from logs. The houses had stone and clay chimneys for heating. The outline of the logs along with the chimneys and some storage pits still exist. In 1855 the Hudson's Bay Company's Chief Factor James Anderson rebuilt the fort. It was intended to be used as winter quarters while searching for the lost expedition of John Franklin, but it was again abandoned after one season. It was not a fur trading outpost although the site was later used by trappers in the Thelon River area. In 1897 a log cabin, using one of the chimneys, was built by the American trapper Buffalo Jones. An HBC store later operated here in 1926 - 1930 (?). See also Northern Vignettes from Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

The RCMP later established a post here on Police Bay from 1928 - 1961. Site now the Trophy Fishing Lodge.

Fort Reliance was established in 1833 at the mouth of the Lockhart River, on the east end of Great Slave Lake. Fort Reliance was built by Alexander Roderick McLeod for Captain George Back of the Arctic Land Expedition, which had been launched in February 1833 to rescue the stranded Ross Expedition. Fort Reliance was used as shelter by Back and the Arctic Land Expedition during the winters of 1834 and 1835, after which it was abandoned.

Fort Reliance was re-visited in July 1855 by Chief Factor James Anderson and the Reliance Expedition, which was commissioned to search for traces of Franklin's third Arctic Expedition. Upon arriving at Fort Reliance, Anderson travelled down the Back River to search for remains of the Franklin Expedition, leaving James Lockhart and a crew of men to refurbish the buildings. Anderson returned to the fort in September, and having not recovered any traces of the Franklin Expedition, ordered Lockhart to abandon the post.

Fort Providence (1)
(1786 - 1823), Old Fort Providence, near Yellowknife
A North West Co. post, later a Hudson's Bay Co. post, located east of Wool Bay. Established by Laurent Leroux, it was composed of at least four log cabins, and was primarily a supply post for other nearby trading posts. This was John Franklin's base camp during the first Arctic Land Expedition in 1820. Stone fireplaces still remain at the site. The ruins were excavated in 1969 - 1971. See also Northern Vignettes from Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

Yellow Knife Fort
(1802 - 1803 ?), Yellowknife
A North West Co. post.

Yellowknife Posts
(1930's - unknown), Yellowknife
The HBC (1938) and the RCMP (1937 ?) both established posts here prior to 1940.

The HBC established Yellowknife River Post (1924 - 1928) at Detah, on the east side of the river, a subpost of the main post on the west side of the river.

Trout Rock Post
(1922 - 1927), near Yellowknife
An HBC outpost on the north shore of the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, west of the city.

Fort Rae
(1853 - 1925), Rae (Behchokö)
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, originally built at Marten Lake (Lac La Martre) in 1852, but relocated to Old Fort Rae in 1853. Relocated to "new" Rae in 1906. The town was renamed in 2005.

A North West Co. trade post was originally located nearby in 1787.

The NWMP / RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Fort Rae was established in 1852 near the mouth of Martin River, near the old post of Montagne de l'Île. The post was named after Dr. John Rae, who gained permission to establish a post in the region in 1849. In 1905 Fort Rae was moved to Devil's Island in Lake Marion, approximately 20 miles northwest of the old post.

From 1959 to 1987 Fort Rae 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).

Lac La Martre Posts
(1789 - unknown, 1852), Marten Lake (Whatě)
A North West Co. trade post (Montagne de l'Île Post (aka Mountain Island)) built by Laurent Leroux was originally located here. The Hudson's Bay Co. later established a post here in 1852 before it was relocated to Old Fort Rae. The community was renamed in 1996.

Fort Enterprise
(1820 - 1821), near Snare Lake (Wekwečtě)
A winter camp on the Snare River, established by John Franklin and George Back of the British Navy's first Arctic Land Expedition. In the winter of 1820 Back made a round-trip journey of almost 1,800 kilometres, from Fort Enterprise to Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, when Franklin’s expedition ran short of supplies. The community was renamed in 1998.

Buffalo Lake Post
(1927 ? - 1929 ?), Buffalo Lake
An HBC outpost located due south of Hay River, at the west end of Buffalo Lake just north of the Alberta border. A subpost of Hay River Post.

Hay River Posts
(1868 - 1875, 1893 - 1970), Hay River
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, originally located on the east bank at the mouth of the East Channel. The town was relocated to Vale Island in 1948, and was relocated again in 1966 south of Vale Island after severe flooding in 1963. The Hay River Museum Society Heritage Center is located in the former HBC store built in 1948. See also History of Hay River from Town of Hay River

The NWMP / RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Hay River was established in 1868 on the Hay River, approximately a quarter of a mile from its entrance into Great Slave Lake. In 1878 Hay River post was closed and trade was carried on at Fort Providence. In 1904 Hay River was rebuilt at another site on the south bank of the Hay River, twenty miles downstream from Alexandra Falls. In 1952 the post was moved to a new location at the town site of Hay River, on Vale Island. In October 1968 the HBC opened a new store at Hay River.

From 1959 to 1987 Hay River 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).

Big Island Post
(1847 - 1868), Big Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located on Big Island, located at the head of the Mackenzie River outlet at Great Slave Lake.

Fort George
(1804 - unknown/1840 ?), Kakisa
A North West Co. trade post originally located at Kakisa Lake. Taken over by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1822, and possibly relocated to the Hay River at or near the present town of Hay River, or further south into Alberta. Wherever it was located at the time, this post was abandoned before 1840. (see also Fort George (2) on ALBERTA page 2)

Fort Providence (2)
(1869/1871 - 1907/1910), Fort Providence
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

The NWMP / RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Fort Providence was established in 1868 when the HBC moved their post from Big Island to a location near the Roman Catholic Rapid Mission on the Mackenzie River, approximately forty miles below its outlet into Great Slave Lake. In 1910 a new trading shop and fur store were built at Fort Providence.

From 1959 to 1987 Fort Providence 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).

Horn River Post
(1927 - 1928 ?), near Fort Providence
An HBC outpost located about one-half mile from the mouth of the Horn River. This was previously an independent trade post built in 1924 by Noel Verville, and sold to the HBC in 1927. Also known as Willow River Post.

Trout Lake Post
(1926 ? - 1933), Trout Lake
An HBC outpost located at the northeast end of the lake. A subpost of Fort Simpson. Briefly closed in 1927-28. The present settlement at the south end of the lake was established in 1964.

Deer Lake Post
(1937 - 1938), near Trout Lake ?, or near Fort Liard ?
An HBC outpost on the north shore of "Deer Lake". Location undetermined.

Livingston's Fort
(1796 - 1799), near Jean Marie River
A North West Co. trading post built by Duncan Livingston, located on the Mackenzie River near the mouth of the Trout Lake River, southeast of town. Livingston and his men were killed by local Indians.

Fort Simpson
(1804 - 1811, 1822 - 1948), Fort Simpson
A North West Co. post, originally called Fort of the Forks. Possibly originally located at present-day Heritage Park. Transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1822 and renamed (HBC records begin in 1818). This was the oldest continuously occupied post on the Mackenzie River. Eight pre-1940 buildings once stood here, the last remaining is the 1935 Company Shed on McKenzie Drive. See also Fort Simpson History and Attractions from Village of Fort Simpson

The North West Mounted Police established a post here in 1913.

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 of the Forks, situated near the Mackenzie River at the mouth of the Liard River, and subsequently renamed the post Fort Simpson. In 1822 the HBC rebuilt Fort Simpson on an island at the forks of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. In 1854 a new post was built. In 1942 Fort Simpson was located on an island at 61° 52' 07" Latitude, 121° 30' Longitude, near the forks of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. Fort Simpson served as the headquarters of the Mackenzie River District from 1822 until 1907. From 1959 to 1987 Fort Simpson 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).

Liard River Rapids Post
(1928 - 1930 ?), near Fort Simpson
An HBC post on the east bank of the Liard River at the rapids, just south (upstream) of Fort Simpson. A subpost of Fort Simpson.

Fort Liard
(1805/1807 - 1903), Fort Liard FORT WIKI
A North West Co. post located on Liard Island in the Liard River, near the BC border. Abandoned in 1813 after the traders were killed by local Indians, it was not re-established until 1820. It was turned over to the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1822. A new HBC store was later built in 1945.

The NWMP / RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

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 Liard, located on the Liard River near the mouth of the Black River. A new store was built at Fort Liard in 1945. From 1959 to 1987 Fort Liard 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).

Rocky Mountain Fort
(1800 - 1803), near Wrigley
A North West Co. post built by John Thomson, located on the Mackenzie River near the Nahanni River, about halfway between present-day Wrigley and Fort Simpson.

Fort Alexander
(1804 - unknown), near Wrigley
A North West Co. trading post located on the Mackenzie River at the mouth of the Willowlake River, south of town.

Fort Wrigley
(1887/1890 - 1904/1910), Wrigley
A Hudson's Bay Co. post originally located at the "Little Rapid" of the Mackenzie River (Old Fort Wrigley) as an outpost of Fort Simpson. The post was relocated in 1904 to "old" Wrigley, and again to its present site in 1965 at "new" Wrigley. The HBC continued retail operations at each site. The store at "new" Wrigley was closed in 1978.

The NWMP / RCMP established a post at "old" Wrigley sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Fort Wrigley was established in 1877 on the Mackenzie River approximately two hundred kilometres north of Fort Simpson. From 1877 to 1886 Fort Wrigley was known as Little Rapid Post. Fort Wrigley was closed in June 1978.

Fort Castor
(1804 ? - 1810 ?), near Fort Norman
A North West Co. post on the Mackenzie River at "Old Fort Point", near the mouth of the Redstone River. Built before 1810, but no earlier than 1804.

Fort Norman
(1810 - 1911, 1929 - 1959), Fort Norman (Tulita)
First a North West Co. post, originally located near the mouth of the Blackwater River. Became a Hudson's Bay Co. post begining in 1822, then relocated downriver in 1825 to the vicinity of the present town. The post was relocated again in 1851 to its present site. HBC retail operations were continued through the 1960's. The hamlet was renamed in 1996.

The RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

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 Norman located at Willow River near Bear's Lake River. In 1823 Fort Norman was moved further down river to a location near Blue Fish River. From 1823 to 1824, Fort Norman was known as Fort Perseverence. In 1828 the post was relocated again, to the west side of the Mackenzie River, between the Forks and Great Bear's Lake River.

Fort Norman was reconditioned in 1929. From 1959 to 1987, Fort Norman 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).

Camp Canol
(1942 - 1945), near Norman Wells
A Hudson's Bay Company provisioning post for the American and Canadian military and civilian construction crews on the Canol Road Project during World War II. The American military engineers, as well as the civilian workers from Bechtel-Price-Callahan, also shared the camp, and an airfield was also built nearby, which was integrated into the Northwest Staging Route. Located about four miles across the Mackenzie River from town. The Canol Road was a primitive service road that paralleled the Canol (Canadian American Norman Oil Line) Pipeline, from the oil fields at Norman Wells, through Yukon Territory to the refinery at Whitehorse, then to Johnson's Crossing at the Yukon - Alaska border, where it connected to the Trans Alaska-Canada Highway. The pipeline was completed in February 1944, but was discontinued in March 1945 and was removed in 1948, but the road remains today as the Canol Heritage Trail.

Fort Franklin
(Déline Fishery - Fort Franklin National Historic Site)
(1825 - 1826), Fort Franklin (Déline)
A Hudson's Bay Co. winter post and staging area for John Franklin's second Arctic Land Expedition. This site was excavated by the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in 1987. No above ground remains. See also Northern Vignettes from Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

A North West Co. trade post was originally located nearby in 1805.

An independent trade post was later built here in 1926 by A.W. Boland, which was sold to the HBC in 1932 and continued as a subpost of the Fort Norman HBC store until 1950. The town was renamed in 1993.

Fort Confidence
(1837 - 1839, 1848, 1851), Great Bear Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located at the mouth of the Dease River on the eastern tip of the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake. Built by Peter Warren Dease and Thomas Simpson during exploration of the Great Bear Lake and Coppermine River area. The structure was a log building, but burned down a short time later. In 1848 the post was rebuilt and used by John Richardson and Dr. John Rae as a base of operations during the search for explorer John Franklin, who went missing along the Arctic Coast in 1845. In the spring of 1851, Dr. John Rae began his third Arctic expedition, surveying the southern coastline of Victoria Island and searching for Sir John Franklin. He returned to Fort Confidence in September 1851, having found some pieces of wood that were likely from Franklin's ship, but no definite evidence of Franklin's fate.

These buildings were still standing in 1902, but had again been destroyed by fire by 1911 when George M. Douglas' expedition to the Coppermine River passed through the area. The present remains consist of four stone and clay chimneys. Fort Confidence was featured in Jules Verne's book "The Fur Country".

Dease Bay Post
(1923 - 1933), Great Bear Lake
An HBC trade post located about two miles southeast of the mouth of the Dease River, near the site of Fort Confidence. A Lamson and Hubbard Company trade post was first located here in 1920, which was bought out by the HBC in 1923 and continued. Relocated to Cameron Bay.

Port Radium Posts
(1937 - 1941), Port Radium
An HBC post and RCMP post were located here at the former mining community along the McTavish Arm of Great Bear Lake.

Cameron Bay Posts
(1933 - 1937), Old Port Radium
An HBC post (aka New Fort Dease) and RCMP post were located here. Both relocated to "new" Port Radium.

Old Fort
(unknown dates), near Fort Good Hope
An undetermined old trade post site located on the Mountain River, about 50 miles south of town.

Fort Good Hope
(1805 - 1918), Fort Good Hope
A North West Co. post, then a Hudson's Bay Co. post after 1822. Also known as Fort Charles. This was the oldest trade post in the lower Mackenzie River Valley, and also the most northerly post of the North West Company. It was relocated at least five times along the Mackenzie River. The NWCo. post was originally located somewhere between the mouths of the Peel River and the Arctic Red River. The HBC moved the post about 100 miles upriver in 1823. In 1826 the post was moved further upriver to the present vicinity of Fort Good Hope. It was relocated twice in 1836.

Additional names associated with this location include Fort de Lucy, Fort de Loucheux, New Fort Good Hope, and Fort Bonne Espérance.

The RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

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 Good Hope, situated on the Mackenzie River above the Hare Indian River, near Ramparts River. In 1823 the HBC moved the post to a location nearly as far north as the Arctic Red River on the west bank of the Mackenzie River. The post was moved again in 1826 to nearby higher ground; however, by June 1827 it was moved back to Upper Manitou Island, at Ramparts River. In 1836 Fort Good Hope was moved across the Mackenzie River to escape flooding. In 1840 Fort Good Hope became the depot for the newly established Peel River post.

From 1959-1987, Fort Good Hope 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).

Rabbitskin River Post
(1925 ? - 1927), near
An HBC post located at the north end of Yeltea Lake. The settlement has long been abandoned, and the name was officially rescinded in 1958.

Thunder River Post
(1936 - 1938 ?), near Arctic Red River
An HBC post on the Thunder (aka Travaillant or Traviar) River, near its junction with the Mackenzie River, or the other way around. Upriver, or east, of the Arctic Red River settlement. Exact location undetermined.

Arctic Red River Posts
(1902 - unknown), Arctic Red River (Tsiigehtchic)
An HBC post was established here not long after a Roman Catholic mission was established in 1895. It was a subpost of Fort McPherson until 1905. The community was renamed in 1994.

A NWMP / RCMP post was also later established sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Raney Post
(1925 ? - 1931), near Arctic Red River
An HBC outpost on the Arctic Red River, about 90 miles south of the settlement of Arctic Red River. A subpost of that post. Also spelled Ramey. Also known as Trail Creek Post.

Fort McPherson (National Historic Site)
(1840 - 1940), Fort McPherson
A Hudson's Bay Co. post built by John Bell, also known as Peel River Post (1), originally located about four miles upriver from the present community. Relocated in 1848.

The North West Mounted Police established a post here in 1902. It became an important base for exploration and patrolling the Northern Arctic territories of Canada. The NWMP's "Lost Patrol" was found frozen to death near here, about 40 km away, in March 1911.

Peel River post was established in 1840 on the east bank of the Peel River. It was established by John Bell, who in 1839 had led an expedition to explore the Peel River during which time he selected the location for the post. In 1848 Peel River was moved up river to escape flooding. In 1852 the post was again relocated a few miles further up river to a more convienent location for transport.

At some point in the early part of the twentieth century, Peel River was renamed Fort McPherson. In 1963 a new store was built at Fort McPherson. From 1959 to 1987 Fort McPherson 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).

Husky River Post
(1926 ? - 1930 ?), near Fort McPherson
An HBC outpost located on the Peel River at the Husky (or Aksis) River junction, just below Fort McPherson. Also known as Askis River Post. A subpost of Fort McPherson.

Rotten Eye Creek Post
(1927 ? - 1930 ?), near Fort McPherson
An HBC outpost located on the Peel River at Rotten Eye Creek, just east of Husky River Post, about 18 miles below Fort McPherson. A subpost of that post.

Peel Channel Post (2)
(1928 - 1930 ?), near Fort McPherson
An HBC outpost located on the west bank of the Peel River channel within the Mackenzie River delta, just north of Rotten Eye Creek Post.

East Channel Post
(1927 - 1930), near Arctic Red River
An HBC outpost located on the east bank of the main channel of the Mackenzie River, on the north (downstream) side of its junction with the East Channel, about 35-40 miles below the Arctic Red River. A subpost of Fort McPherson.

Aklavik Posts
(Pokiak Territorial Historic Site)
(1912 - 1961), Aklavik
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1929 - 1935). The first post here was actually located across the river in Pokiak (Old Aklavik), relocated in 1924. HBC retail operations continued here through the 1970's.

The RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

A Northern Traders Ltd. trade post located at Pokiak in 1913 was known as Sinik or Fort Scenic, which also relocated in 1919. Sold to the HBC in 1938.

Aklavik was established in 1912 as an outpost of Fort McPherson (also known as Peel River). It was originally located at Pokiak Point on the Peel River about 113 kilometres from the Arctic Ocean. In 1915 Aklavik became a full post. In 1925 the post was moved to the other side of the river in order to be closer to the steamer terminus, located at the townsite of Aklavik, as well as the RCMP, Anglican Mission, and competing traders. From 1931 to about 1933 Aklavik ran Kittigazuit as an outpost.

In 1954, due to chronic flooding and erosion at the townsite, the Government of Canada decided to move the community of Aklavik. In 1961 a new townsite at Inuvik, 58 kilometres to the west, was established. However, many residents of Aklavik decided to stay at the old townsite, and in 1966 the HBC established a new store here. From 1959 to 1987 Aklavik 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).

Big Rock Post
(1929 - 1930 ?), near Inuvik
An HBC outpost located on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River delta, south of Inuvik. A subpost of Aklavik Post.

Reindeer Station Post
(1949 - 1968), Reindeer Station
An HBC post located on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River delta, south of Tununuk.

Kittigazuit Post
(Kittigazuit Archaeological Sites National Historic Site)
(1912 - 1933), Kitigaaryuk, Kittigazuit Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1925 - 1926) on an island at the mouth of the Mackenzie River. Also spelled Kettigazuit. A subpost of Aklavik Post. The ruins of a log house and ice house once used by the HBC are still extant. Operations were relocated to Tuktoyaktuk in 1933.

Kittigazuit was established in the autumn of 1912 on an island near the mouth of the Mackenzie River (at 69°15' Lat., 133°18' W. Long.). During the 1920's competitors H. Liebes and Co. of San Fransisco (CA) also ran a post near this site. By the late 1920's most of the Inuit of the area had left. In 1931 Kittigazuit ran as an outpost of Aklavik. By 1933 the post was closed, and the next year its dwelling house was torn down and re-erected at Tuktoyaktuk.

Tuktoyaktuk Posts
(1934 - unknown), Tuktoyaktuk
An HBC post and Roman Catholic mission were established here in 1934. The settlement was originally known as Port Brabant until 1950.

A RCMP post was established sometime prior to 1940.

The Canalaska Trading Co. also had a post nearby from 1938 - 1939.

Nicholson Peninsula Post
(1927 - 1929), near Nicholson
A small HBC outpost located near the mouth of the Anderson River at Wood Bay. A subpost of Baillie Island Post.

Fort Anderson
(1861 - 1867),
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located at the great bend of the Anderson River, about 100 miles from its mouth, roughly 150 air miles north of Fort Good Hope.

Fort Anderson was established in the spring of 1861 as the HBC's first post in the western Arctic. It was named for James Anderson, chief factor in charge of the Mackenzie River District from 1856 to 1857. Fort Anderson was located on the east bank of the Anderson River, also known as the Baghullatesse or Inconnue River. By 1867 Fort Anderson was abandoned after it proved unprofitable.

Maitland Point Posts
(1936 - 1941), near Nicholson
A RCMP post located near Cape Bathurst.

An HBC post was also located here in 1939 - 1941.

Baillie Island Posts
(1916 - 1939), Baillie Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on a small island in the Arctic Ocean at Cape Bathurst (HBC records cover 1926 - 1935). Relocated to Maitland Point in 1939.

The RCMP also later established a post here sometime before 1940 (date ?).

Baillie Island was established in 1915 on a sandpit attached to Cape Bathurst in what is now the Northwest Territories. The post was built at a site that had been a summer rendezvous for whalers for many years, as well as traditional fishing grounds. At various points, Baillie Island operated outposts at Inman River (Nunavut), Letty Harbour, and Pearce Point. In 1939 Baillie Island post was moved into the RCMP buildings at Maitland Point for fear that the original site would wash away. Baillie Island was then known as Maitland Point. Two years later the post was closed.

Letty Harbour Post
(1927/1932 - 1935, 1954 - 1959), near Paulatuk
A Hudson's Bay Co. outpost of Baillie Island. The HBC transferred the second store, a subpost of Read Island, to Cape Parry in 1959 (closed 1967).

Letty Harbour was established in 1927 as an outpost of Baillie Island. It was located on Parry Peninsula in the western Northwest Territories. In 1930 Letty Harbour gained the status of full post. In August 1937 the post was abandoned and its merchandise sold to the local Roman Catholic mission. Some of its buildings were moved to Tuktoyaktuk.

In 1954 Letty Harbour was re-established as an outpost of Reid Island (Nunavut), although it appears to have gained full post status soon after. Five years later Letty Harbour was relocated 25 miles north to Cape Parry, two miles from the DEW line radar station. At this point the post became known as Cape Parry. In April 1967 the Cape Parry post was closed.

Pearce Point Posts
(1931 - unknown), near Paulatuk
A RCMP post, according to the "National Atlas of Canada" (1974).

An HBC post was also located here (1927 - 1934), a subpost of Baillie Island. It was temporarily closed during 1929-30.

Alaervik Post
(1923 - 1928), Victoria Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north shore of Prince Albert Sound. Also known as Fort Brabant. Relocated to Walker Bay.

Holman Island Post
(1939 - unknown), Holman (Ulukhaktok), Victoria Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, relocated from Walker Bay. The hamlet was relocated one mile west in 1965, and was renamed in 2006.

Walker Bay Posts
(1928 - 1939), Victoria Island
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located near the western tip of the island at the confluence of the Prince of Wales Strait and Minto Inlet. Also known as Fort Collinson after 1929. Relocated to Holman Island.

The Canalaska Trading Co. also had a post nearby from 1932 - 1938.

Fort Collinson, first named Fort Brabant, was established in 1923 on Prince Albert Sound on Victoria Island, Northwest Territories. It was likely named Fort Brabant in honour of Angus Brabant, HBC fur trade commissioner from 1920 to 1927. In August 1928 Fort Brabant was moved from Prince Albert Sound to Walker Bay on Victoria Island in order to be closer to the hunting grounds of the post's Aboriginal hunters. In December 1929 Fort Brabant was renamed Fort Collinson. The post was closed in 1939 and its buildings were transferred to Holman Island.

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

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