Southwestern Québec

Fort Abitibi (2) | Fort des Abitibi (1) | Abitibi House (3) | Abbitibbi Post (4)
Allumette Island Post | Baie des Pères Post | Barrière Post | Bell River Post | Buckingham
Cawassieamica Post | Chats Post | Chats Rapids Posts | Coocoocache Post | Fort Coulonge
Désert Post | Fort Du Moine | Dumoine River Posts | Grand Lake Posts
Grand Lake Victoria Post | Hunter's Lodge | Kakababeagino Post | Kakabonga Post
Kakandotch/Kickendatch Post | Kakeepaugan Post | Lac des Allumettes Post
Lac des Chats Posts | Fort Lac de Sable (1) | Lac des Sables Post (2) | La Loutre Post
La Sarre Post | La Tuque Posts | Long Point House | Manowan/Manuan Post
Metchiskun/Michiskum/Migiskan Post | Migiskan River Post
Nescotia/Nescutia/Nishkotea Post | Obijuan Post | Oskélanéo Post | Fort La Petite Nation
Portage de la Roche Post | Post des Quinze | Rat River Posts | Rivière Désert Post
Fort Rivière du Lièvre (1) | Rivière du Lièvre Post (2) | Sandy Lake Post | Senneterre Post
Simon Lake Post | Fort Témiscamingue/Timiskaming | Trout Lake Post | Wabijiwoine Post
Weymontachingue Posts | Fort William | Fort Wrath

Southern Québec - page 1 | Québec City - page 2
Eastern Québec - page 3 | Northern Québec - page 5

THE FUR TRADE IN THE OUTAOUAIS

Last Update: 15/OCTOBER/2025
Compiled by Pete Payette - ©2025 American Forts Network

Fort La Petite-Nation
(unknown dates), near Fassett
A French stockaded trading post on the Ottawa River, west of Grenville, at or near the mouth of the Petite Nation River. It was noted as abandoned in a 1761 report.

Fort Rivière du Lièvre (1)
(1735 - unknown), near Masson
A French trading post on the Ottawa River at the Chaudière Falls. Several log huts, but no stockade was known. It was noted as abandoned in a 1761 report.

Another French post (name ?) was located nearby in 1730.

Buckingham
(1848 - 1870), Buckingham
A Hudson's Bay Co. store.

Buckingham was established when Thomas Taylor removed Lac des Sables to a rented house in Buckingham, at the mouth of the Rivière aux Lievres in January 1849. Governor George Simpson had explored the idea of removing Lac des Sables to Buckingham as early as March 1846. Simpson favoured the new location because it would require only one or two servants, allow the servants better opportunities to see Aboriginal traders coming down the Ottawa, Gatineau, and Blanche Rivers as well as the ability to collect skins from lumberers and settlers by making periodic rounds during the winter. In May 1849 Taylor complained that the shop was not worthwhile since they only sold liquor, tea, and tobacco in the store. However, the store remained open until 1870.

Lac des Sables Posts (2)
(1822 - 1848), Lac des Sables
A small Hudson's Bay Co. post. Located up the Rivière du Lièvre near Notre-Dame-du-Laus, likely at the south end of the lake. Also known as Sandy Lake Post.

Previously this was a North West Company post (Fort Lac de Sable (1)) in 1820 to 1821.

An independent British trade post was also located here (date ?).

Lac des Sables was acquired by the Hudson's Bay Company as a result of the 1821 union with the North West Company. The post had previously been operated by the North West Company within the Ottawa River Department between 1820 and 1821. The post was located on Rivière aux Lièvres (Du Lievre River) east of the Ottawa River. In 1826 John McLean was sent to Lac Des Sables and remained there until he was sent to New Caledonia in 1833. Between 1845 and 1846 Governor George Simpson contemplated abandoning Lac des Sables and hoped to sell the establishment to some of the loggers in the neighbourhood. The post was closed when Thomas Taylor moved the post down the Rivière aux Lièvres to Buckingham in 1849. Lac des Sables was therefore replaced by a small store in the village of Buckingham.

Portage de la Roche Post
(1800 - unknown), near Mont-Laurier ?
A North West Company post on the Rivière du Lièvre, about half-way between Lac des Sables and Lac Mitchinamécus.

Chats Post
(1804 - 1837), near Quyon
Originally a North West Company post until 1821, then becoming a Hudson's Bay Co. post in 1822. Also known as Chats Rapids Post, or Lac des Chats Post. Relocated several times, probably once in 1816.

Joseph Mondion originally settled at Indian Point (Mondian Point) in 1786 and built a private trade post, but moved away in 1800. The North West Company bought the site in 1804. Stone foundation ruins still remain here.
See also Remains Of A Hudson’s Bay Trading Post on the Ottawa River" by Andrew King, Ottawa Rewind

The Hudson's Bay Company acquired Chats as a result of the amalgamation with the North West Company in 1821. The post was located on the Ottawa River at the Rapides des Chats. In August 1821 Mr. Roussin was sent from Montréal to Lake of Two Mountains and the clerk in charge there, Alexander Fisher, sent Roussin to Chats for the winter of 1821-1822. Aeneas Macdonell was in charge of Chats until John McLean replaced him in 1822. McLean left the post in June 1823 but was in charge again between 1825 and 1826. Clerk Charles Thomas was in charge in 1827 and 1828. The post continued to be under the management of the Lake of Two Mountains District and therefore, Chief Trader Alexander Fisher. In 1828 the HBC purchased Chats Farm, located opposite the rapids, and relocated the post.

In 1828 Cuthbert Cumming became a chief trader and was appointed to take charge of Chats in order to oppose independent traders Day and McGillivray. Cumming wrote to James Keith in Montréal warning him that the "Canteen" at Chats was operating without a license and had moved it to the old house. Although liquor was one of the best selling items at the shop, Keith ordered the abandonment of the "Canteen" the next year. A large retail shop opened in 1828 but was unsuccessful. Chats returned to being a fur trade establishment in 1829. By 1831 Chief Trader Cameron had successfully opposed Day and McGillivray at Lac des Sables and in the neighbourhood of Chats. Bonne Chere at Golden Lake (Ontario) was an outpost of Chats between 1831 and 1836. (see also)

At the beginning of the 1836-1837 outfit Chief Factor John George McTavish moved the headquarters of Lake of Two Mountains District to Chats. He moved the headquarters back to Lake of Two Mountains the following year since, like many other posts in the district, trade at Chats was in decline as a result of increased settlement and logging. In April 1837 Governor George Simpson wrote to J.G. McTavish stating that since Chats was no longer a productive trade establishment the Hudson's Bay Company would sell the property to him. Simpson stipulated that the sale would not include the rights to interfere in the "Indian trade". Therefore the buildings were sold to J.G. McTavish and Chats was closed in 1837.

Fort Coulonge
(1680 - 1760), near Davidson
A French stockaded trade fort was originally located at the mouth of Rivière Coulonge. The family of Louis d'Ailleboust, sieur de Coulonge, traded with the Indians on the Ottawa River from 1670 to 1760 and erected several trading posts, of which Fort Coulonge was one. It was noted as abandoned in a 1761 report.

A North West Company post was later built on or near the site in 1793, using the same name and rehabilitated many of the same structures. Became a Hudson's Bay Co. post in 1822 (HBC records cover 1827 - 1853). Rebuilt in 1827, in operation until 1855. The HBC operated a farm (Poupore Farm) on the present Ontario side of the Ottawa River, at Malloy Bay in Westmeath Township, from 1829 - 1844. One log building from the farm operation still exists, relocated and restored on a private lot on Westmeath Road at Old Mill Bridge Road. The present town of Fort-Coulonge was later settled just upriver from the site of the old trading post on Rivière Coulonge. See also History of the Village of Fort-Coulonge

An XY Company trade post was also nearby in 1803.

Fort Coulonge became a Hudson's Bay Company post in 1822 after the HBC amalgamated with the North West Company. Former NWCo. employee Joseph Godin remained in charge. Initially, trade at Fort Coulonge was supervised by McGillivrays, Thain and Company in Montréal, acting under instructions from the Governor and Committee. John McLean established an outpost of Fort Coulonge, Lac des Allumettes, in opposition to the traders in the island of Allumette in late September 1823. In the spring of 1826 when Governor George Simpson went inland from Montréal there were four clerks, headed by John Siveright, attached to Fort Coulonge and its outpost, Lac des Allumettes. Simpson reduced the number to two to save money and reported to the Governor and Committee that the trading value of the area was ruined since every logger, contractor, and labourer were acting as traders.

When Témiscamingue and Fort Coulonge Districts were united in outfit 1843-1844 John Siveright moved to Témiscamingue and George Sharpe took over the management of Fort Coulonge. In the summer of 1844 Simpson informed the Governor and Committee that as Fort Coulonge was so unproductive it would be closed. Lac des Allumettes would suffice for the purpose of collecting the trade and as a communication link with the interior. The HBC's farm at Fort Coulonge consisting of about 675 acres, including buildings and crops, were sold to Louis Brezard (Brizart) in September 1844. A small saleshop managed by James S. Watt was occupied from about October 1844 as an experiment. Other property was removed to Lac des Allumettes. The sales shop proved successful and continued to operate. In February 1853 Thomas Taylor reported to Simpson that he was struggling to maintain the trade at Fort Coulonge. By April 1855 Thomas Taylor had purchased the former HBC land and establishment at Fort Coulonge and the post was closed.

Allumette Island Post
(1822 - 1848), Île des Allumettes
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Also known as Lac des Allumettes Post.

An independent British trade post was first located here, bought out by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1822.

Originally a French trading post was located here (date ?).

Fort William was originally established as Lac des Allumettes Post on Allumette Island, Québec in September 1823 by John McLean. In November of the same year, McLean constructed new buildings to oppose Aeneas Macdonnell on the island. A store and additional buildings were erected in the summer of 1828. Nicholas Brown was in charge from 1830-1837. The post dominated trade with Aboriginal people in the region by 1844.

The practice of hauling flour and other provisions from John Baird's store and mill at Ramsay was abandoned by Hector McKenzie, clerk in charge from 1845, who felt that the long trip requiring six days on the winter road made the cost prohibitive. He decided to buy provisions and flour from Moffatt's mill at nearby Pembroke. In the next year McKenzie was promoted to Chief Trader and a new sale shop and house were built. In 1848 the post was moved to the north shore of Lac des Allumettes, four miles from the outlet of Deep River, and the name was changed to Fort William.

Fort William
(1848 - 1869), Fort William
A Hudson's Bay Company post. Original structures still extant include the 1845 Factors House and 1857 Chapel, and also the later period 1880 general store and the 1896 Hotel Pontiac, a restaurant and inn.
See also Canadian Register of Historic Places

In 1848 the post on Allumette Island was moved to the north shore of Lac des Allumettes, four miles from the outlet of Deep River, and the name was changed to Fort William. When a post office was established at the post in 1848 the name changed to Fort William. As a result of flooding, the year 1849 was difficult. Wemyss Simpson was temporarily in charge while McKenzie was at Lachine. In 1862 A.G. Dallas, Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land after George Simpson's death, proposed that the districts of Fort Coulonge (Fort William), and Lac des Sables (Buckingham and Rivière Désert) should be united and called "Ottawa District" under Chief Factor Hector McKenzie. He also recommended that Fort William be closed and the post at Des Joachims take over its functions. However, the post did not close until 1869 when Chief Trader Watt was moved to a HBC office in Pembroke. In 1869 the buildings and land were sold to John Poupore on behalf of James McCool.

Fort Du Moine
(1730 - 1760), near Stonecliffe, Ontario
A French fortified trading post located at the mouth of Rivière Dumoine, about nine miles above Allumette Island. It was noted as abandoned in a 1761 report.

Dumoine River Posts
(1785), near Stonecliffe, Ontario
Two separate independent British trade posts were located at or near the mouth of the Rivière Dumoine.

Désert Post
(1832 - 1878), Maniwaki
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Gatineau River, on the north side of the mouth of Rivière Désert. Also known as Rivière Désert Post.

The earliest reference to Désert Post was in 1832, however the post may have been established as early as 1826 or 1829. Désert Post was an outpost of Lake of Two Mountains. When Lake of Two Mountains closed in 1848, Désert Post was retained as a provisions depot and barrier for Grand Lac. It was necessary to keep a post open to prevent the Aboriginal people at Grand Lac, who had become dependent upon imported goods, from trading at the Ottawa logging shanties. By 1877 the post was not very profitable and it was decided that it would be closed. In 1877 the farm was leased to reduce expenses. The post was closed in the summer of 1878 and the goods were removed and distributed to Grand Lac, Barrière, Nescutia, and Mattawa.

Cawassieamica Post
(1843 - 1851), near Baskatong Reservoir
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

Cawassieamica was probably established in 1843 as an outpost of Grand Lac in the Temiscamingue District. In 1850 James Cameron, chief trader at Temiscamingue, proposed to reduce the number of Grand Lac outposts. As a result, in the next year both Cawassieamica and Trout Lake were replaced by one centrally located post at Kakeepaugan.

Rivière du Lièvre Post (2)
(1844 - unknown),
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located on the headwaters of the Rivière du Lièvre, somewhere northeast of Sainte-Anne-du-Lac.

Trout Lake Post
(1823 - 1851),
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Located southwest of Oskélanéo.

John McRae, trader from Grand Lac, established a new outpost on Trout Lake in 1822. Trout Lake was described as being about a six days' journey above Grand Lac. The post was intended to act as a barrier to prevent Aboriginal people from moving towards Lac Rond or Rivière du Lièvre. In 1850 it was decided to reduce the number of outposts and James Cameron proposed to replace the Grand Lac outposts of Trout Lake and Cawassieamica with a centrally located post. Navigational difficulties made it too expensive to take provisions to Trout Lake. Therefore it was decided to build a new post at Kakeepaugan, southwest of Trout Lake (also known as Bark Lake). Trout Lake appears to have closed in 1851.

Kakabonga Post
(1851 - 1874, 1876 - 1930/1947), Cabonga Reservoir
A Hudson's Bay Co. post near the west side of the lake, possibly near Lac-Rapide. Also known as Kakeepaugan. Also known as Kakababeagino. There are numerous variations of the post name. Relocated as Barrière Post in 1876 (HBC records end 1941). Relocated again in 1930 during the creation and impoundment of the Cabonga Reservoir. Closed in 1947.

Kakeepaugan was established as an outpost of Grand Lac in 1851 to replace Cawassieamica. Two men, Sevard St. Denis, and Equacositch, a labourer, were employed to construct buildings at the site in 1851. Pequakugenu, a runner, was also employed. The post was situated on Lake Kakabonga, 40 miles southeast of Grand Lac. In 1874 a fire at the post resulted in the loss of life and property. The store at Kakeepaugan was transferred to Barrière in July 1876. Subsequently, Kakeepaugan was closed.

Barrière Post was established as an outpost of Grand Lac probably in 1875. The post was situated on the north shore of Lac Barrière, east of Grand Lac, and north or northwest of Kakeepaugan. Barrière became an independent post when the store at Kakeepaugan, another outpost of Grand Lac, was transferred to it in July 1876. Barrière consisted of a men's house, two dwellings, a trading store, warehouse, stable, and a hay barn. In 1899 E.K. Beeston claimed that Barrière "was practically an outpost of Grand Lac".

When Lake Cabonga flooded around 1930 the post was rebuilt on top of a nearby hill. The buildings of the post were situated on the north shore of the lake and consisted of a men's house, two dwellings, a trading store, a warehouse, a stable, and a hay barn. Grand Lac appears to have been be an outpost of Barrière between 1935-1941. Barrière was closed after Gus Hambling transferred his trading activities for the winter of 1947 to a temporary location at Rapid Lake (Lac-Rapide), near where he planned to build a new post the following year.

Nescutia Post
(1860 - 1878), Lac Nichcotea
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Also spelled Nescotia or Nishkotea.

Nescutia was in operation at least between 1860 and 1878 in the Temiscamingue District. It was associated with Grand Lac, where Postmaster Jerome Godchere spent his summers.

Grand Lake Posts
(1822 - 1956), Grand Lac-Victoria
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1823 - 1941). Also known as Grand Lake Victoria Post.

A North West Company post was here before 1820, which was taken over by the HBC in 1822 and continued by them.

There were also two separate independent British trade posts located here in 1785.

Grand Lac was acquired by the Hudson's Bay Company as a result of the 1821 union with the North West Company. The post was established by the North West Company at an unknown date prior to 1820. Grand Lac was located near the source of the Ottawa River at approximately 47º50"N 77º55"W. In 1822 an outpost was established at Trout Lake. Barrière was also closely associated with Grand Lac since, in 1899, E.K. Beeston claimed that Barrière "was practically an outpost of Grand Lac". In 1929 J.W. Miller, post manager, retired and L.H. Leonard was placed in charge. George Taylor, son of S.A. Taylor, of Long Lake post, was hired as an apprentice and placed at Grand Lac in September. Between 1934 and 1941 the post was operated as an outpost of Barrière.

In 1941 the post was reconverted to an independent post under the jurisdiction of the St. Lawrence District. The post was in the Québec-Ontario District in 1953 and remained there until June 1956 when it was transferred to the James Bay District. Grand Lac was closed in October 1956.

Hunter's Lodge
(1846 - 1890), Hunter's Point
A small Hudson's Bay Co. outpost. Located on Hunter's Lake east of Lac Kipawa along ZEC Route 814.

Fort Témiscamingue (National Historic Park)
(1668 - 1688, 1720 - 1758), near Ville-Marie
This was the main French trading post between the upper Ottawa River and the Hudson Bay region. Located on the north shore of Laperrière Bay, on the point at the Narrows. The first post was originally described as a house on a small island with 14 traders. Probably rebuilt or strengthened in 1686. Abandoned in 1688 due to Indian hostility in the region. Re-established in 1720 with as many as 60 traders. French soldiers were withdrawn in 1758.

British free-traders and later the North West Company operated a post nearby beginning in 1776, which then became a Hudson's Bay Co. post in 1822 (also spelled Timiskaming in English records). Rebuilt after 1830, operated until 1905. Only partial remains of stone chimneys are still extant. Visitor centre and museum on site. Admission fee.

A Roman Catholic mission (Timiskaming Mission) was established in 1836 on the Ontario side of the lake, directly across from the fort. It was relocated to Ville-Marie (Baie des Pères) in 1887.

Témiscamingue became a Hudson's Bay Company post in 1821, after the company's amalgamation with the North West Company. It was administered by the Abitibi District until 1824, at which time the Témiscamingue District was established. Témiscamingue acted as the headquarters for this district. Provisions for the post came up the Ottawa River via Mattawa, but trade goods were sent in from Moose Factory and furs went out by that route.

In 1866 the HBC established an outpost from Témiscamingue in opposition to a nearby Canadian trading house. The next year, the HBC purchased 744 acres around the outpost from the Canadian government, but they were unable to obtain a patent as a township had not yet been formed. By the 1880's there was not much trading activity at Témiscamingue since settlement and logging operations had encroached on the habitat of fur bearing animals. The majority of the furs were obtained from the outposts, which at that time were Baie des Pères, Post des Quinze, and Temagami (Ontario). By 1891 Témiscamingue had been abandoned and a caretaker was looking after the buildings. The business of Témiscamingue District was carried on from Baie des Pères. Témiscamingue was again in operation during outfit 1898 and was the headquarters for the outposts of that area. In 1899 the HBC abandoned operations at Témiscamingue. Its buildings and land were maintained by a caretaker until 1902 or 1903.

Baie des Pères Post
(1887 - 1903), Ville-Marie
A Hudson's Bay Co. outpost (HBC records cover 1891 - 1899) on the eastern shore of Lake Témiscamingue, about four miles north of Fort Témiscamingue.

Baie des Pères was established as an outpost of Témiscamingue in late fall 1887. In 1888 two HBC inspecting officers reported that the Roman Catholic Mission had been removed from Témiscamingue to Baie des Pères. Business at Baie des Pères was conducted in buildings rented from Louis Gendreau, with apprentice clerk John Mann in charge. During trading season 1902-1903 the stock was moved from Baie des Pères to Haileybury (Ontario) on the west side of Lake Témiscamingue, as this was a good point on the new railway and also conviently situated to the interior hunting country. Baie des Pères was subsequently closed in 1903.

The saleshop at Haileybury (Ontario) was a result of the Lake Huron District having commenced operations in 1903 after the withdrawal from Baie des Pères and the closing of the Mattawa saleshop. The saleshop was conducted under the supervision of the officer in charge of Lake Huron District. In August 1906 the saleshop was burnt down and business was carried on in temporary premises, but prospects were not encouraging and Haileybury was closed in April 1907.

Fort Wrath
(1880 - 1890), near Saint-Bruno-de-Guigues
A small Hudson's Bay Co. outpost on the northeast shore of Lake Témiscamingue , one mile above Pointe Piché.

Post des Quinze
(1872 - 1899), Lac des Quinze
A small Hudson's Bay Co. outpost on the east side of Lac des Quinze at Long Point. Also known as Long Point House. It was in operation in 1897.

Fort des Abitibi (1)
(1686 - 1758), Lac Abitibi
Originally a French stockaded trading post, said to have been built on a hill near Lake Abitibi in three days by the Chevalier de Troyes Expedition in 1686. A subpost of Fort Témiscamingue. Possibly abandoned in 1688 with Fort Témiscamingue, and likely re-established by 1694, as it was operating in 1695. French troops were withdrawn in 1758, although a few traders possibly remained until 1760.
(NOTE: a second French fort was also located on the western side of the lake in present-day Ontario (see also).

An independent British trade post (aka Fort Abitibi (2)) was located here in 1788.

The Hudson's Bay Co. operated a post here from 1794 - 1811, and 1822 - 1921, known as Abitibi House (3). Located at the mouth of the Rivière La Sarre.

The North West Company operated Abbitibby Post (4) here in 1817 - 1821.
(See also Abitibi House on NORTHERN ONTARIO page 3)

After the abandonment of Frederick House in 1794, the Governor and Committee ordered that Lake Témiscamingue be explored in the hopes of establishing a new post in the area. As a result of the exploration, Robert Folster, the officer in charge of Frederick House, founded Abitibi on Abitibi Lake in the same year. By 1809-1810 the North West Company dominated trade in the area and orders were sent by the Governor and Committee to Moose Factory to eliminate unproductive outposts. Therefore, Abitibi was evacuated at the end of the 1810-1811 outfit.

Although re-establishment was suggested in 1816, it probably did not occur until 1821 as a result of the amalgamation between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. Abitibi functioned primarily as a trading post and furs were shipped from the post down to Moose Factory. Between 1821 and 1827 Abitibi also acted as the administrative headquarters of the Abitibi District. It was added to the administrative jurisdiction of Moose District in 1827. From 1877-1900 it was placed under the Témiscamingue District. It was under the Lake Huron District from 1901-1921.

New buildings were erected at the post in 1916. The post was moved to the nearest railway station at La Sarre in 1922. Thereafter it operated as an outpost to La Sarre until 1929 or 1930.

La Sarre Post
(1914 - 1954), La Sarre
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1932 - 1941).

La Sarre was established in 1914 along the Canadian National Railway line near the east shore of Abitibi Lake. It superceded Abitibi as the key post in the area and controlled the business at Abitibi in the 1920's. La Sarre was closed in 1954.

Senneterre Post
(1913 - 1957), Senneterre
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1932 - 1941).

Senneterre was established as Bell River Post in 1913. The name was changed to Senneterre in 1923. The post had an outpost on Simon Lake (later known as Semo Lake) as early as 1926. The outpost was probably closed after District Manager J.J. Barker of the Lake Huron District recommended the closure of Simon Lake in 1927. In the 1930's the location of the railway caused difficulty since Aboriginal people travelled to the railway line to trade rather than to the post. A new store was built in November 1957. Senneterre was closed in February 1980.

La Loutre Post
(1928 - 1933), Lac aux Loutres
A Hudson's Bay Co. post north of Lac Saint-Cyr, east of Lebel-sur-Quévillon.

La Loutre was established sometime before 1928 as an outpost of Obijuan. It was located in northwestern Quebec. La Loutre was closed in 1933.

Migiskan River Post
(unknown - 1880),
A HBC outpost of Migiskan Post, located on Rivière Mégiscane about 40 miles downstream from Migiskan Post, and about ten miles below Shabogama Lake. Closed in 1880.

Migiskan Post
(1829 - 1891), Lac Mégiscane
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Also spelled Metchiskun or Michiskum (and other variations).

Migiskan was established in 1828 by James Robertson, who was dispatched from Waswanipi by Jacob Corrigal. Migiskan served as an outpost of Waswanipi at the height of land close to the headwaters of the St. Maurice River on Metchiskun Lake. The post was established in order to compete with Lampson Boyden & Company, lessees of the King's Posts. In 1891 it was recommended to abandon Migiskan. The post was finally closed in 1892 due to poor fur returns.

Wabijiwoine Post
(1826 - unknown), near Obedjiwan
An independent British trade post on the north shore of the present Gouin Reservoir.

Obijuan Post
(1826 - 1840, 1914 - 1952), near Obedjiwan
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north shore of the present-day Gouin Reservoir (HBC records cover 1923 - 1941). The reservoir was first impounded by the Loutre Dam in 1918. The Gouin Dam was built in 1948 which raised the lake level even further. The community was relocated to its present site in 1919.

Obijuan was established as a wintering post by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1827. The post was abandoned in favour of Kikendatch in 1840.

The post was re-established in 1914 when it replaced Kikendatch. The post was located on Lake Obijuan near the headwaters of the St. Maurice River, about 150 miles above Weymontachingue. The post was of considerable importance at this time due to its proximity to the HBC territory as well as to the Trout Lake and Migiskan posts. It was situated less than 40 miles from the height of land dividing the waters flowing into Hudson Bay from those flowing into the St. Maurice River. In 1912 the post was located on the narrows of Escalina Lake. Between 1919 and 1920 the post was moved because of flooding and relocated on an island on the south-east side of Obijuan Lake, about 300 yards from the old site. Obijuan had an outpost at La Loutre in 1933. The post closed in September 1952. Obijuan reopened between 1956 and 1957. From 1914 until 1957 the post was closed and reopened several times due to the local Aboriginal people dispersing. In 1957 a reserve was established and the HBC reopened the old log-constructed store from which they did business until a new building was constructed in 1959. The name changed from Obijuan to Obedjiwan in 1964. In 1969 the store was extended and modernized. By 1970 the store included a self-serve groceteria with full refrigeration and complete dry goods department to serve the Tête de Boule population. The store continued in operation until 1987 when the Northern Stores Department was sold to Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later The North West Company).

Oskélanéo Post
(1926 - 1945), Oskélanéo
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on Lac Oskélanéo (HBC records cover 1927 - 1941). The present community was established in 1910 with the arrival of the railroad.

Oskélanéo was established in the summer of 1926. It was located on the CN Railway at Oskelaneo River, about 45 miles south of Obijuan. In 1945 a new store was built. Oskelaneo was closed in July 1962.

Kickendatch Post
(1840/1856 - 1911), near Lac Brochu
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the head of the Rivière Saint-Maurice at the eastern end of the Gouin Reservoir, about nine miles above the Gouin Dam. Also spelled Kakandotch.

A French post was previously located here (date ?).

Kikendatch was established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1840 as a result of the abandonment of Obijuan. The post was located on Lake Kikendatch, an enlargement of the St. Maurice River about 60 miles from Weymontachingue. The post was originally an old French post within the King's Domain. In 1883 the buildings were burnt, however new ones were built soon after. In 1887 a trade shop was erected. In 1912 the post, which was acting as a depot for supplies, was abandoned and replaced by Obijuan once again.

Weymontachingue Posts
(1821 - 1939), Wemotaci
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the St. Maurice River. Relocated across the river in 1927.

The North West Company operated a post here in 1806.

An independent British trade post was also here in 1827.

Weymontachingue was established in 1821 and was operated as a winter post. The post was situated on the east bank of the St. Maurice River about 180 miles north from Three Rivers. Weymontachingue consisted of about 12 acres of cultivated land. Oats, hay, and potatoes were farmed for use at the post and to feed livestock. The livestock at the post consisted of cows, bulls, and horses. Between 1821 and 1883 the post functioned as the headquarters of St. Maurice District. Between 1911 and 1912 Weymontachingue was the headquarters of the St Maurice and Saguenay District. In 1927 the post was removed to Manouan Station across the river and the Old Post reserve was abandoned. The post closed in 1939.

Manowan Post
(1877 - 1941), Lac Manouane ? or Manawan ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Also spelled Manuan. Lac Manouane is north of Lac Kempt. The First Nations community of Manawan is south of Lac Kempt.

Manowan was established by Junior Chief Trader, George McKenzie in 1874. In 1890 Manowan was situated on Lake Metapeskegaw 85 miles southwest of Weymontachinque and 45 miles northwest from Mattawin, the nearest settlement. In 1894 the post consisted of 2 acres of land. In September 1963 Manowan was relocated across the lake to the reserve on Lake Madonabskika, south of Lac Kempt in the county of Maskinongé, Québec. The new store was much larger than the old one with a self-service groceteria, basement, and oil heating. The customers were no longer required to cross the lake to do their shopping.

The spelling of "Manowan" was changed to "Manouane" in January 1964 in order to bring the store name into line with the official spelling as used by the Post Office and by the provincial government. The store continued in operation until 1987 when the Northern Stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later The North West Company).

Coocoocache Post
(1861/1875 - 1913), Coucoucache
A Hudson's Bay Co. post. Located east of Windigo on the Réservoir Blanc.

Coocoocache was established on Coocoocache Lake in 1861. The post was located about 150 miles from Three Rivers and 45 miles from Weymontachingue. The post was conveniently situated for trading and for forwarding supplies into the interior of the St. Maurice District. The headquarters of St. Maurice District was moved to Coocoocache from Weymontachingue in 1883. In 1885 trade at the post was conducted only with Aboriginal traders and there were eight Aboriginal families attached to the post. Unlike other fur trade posts, cash was given as an advance to Aboriginal traders. This practice ended by 1890.

About 15 acres of land was cleared and used for farming at the post. The farm produced oats, hay, and potatoes and included cows, a bull, pigs, and horses. The horses were occassionally contracted out for use by loggers or railway workers and provided a further source of income for the post. There were no outposts attached to Coocoocache, however in 1890 it was noted that there should be a person at La Tuque to supervise supplies in transit, watch and report any parties who attempted to enter the district from Three Rivers, and to pick up any furs that were offered for sale. Mr. McGregor, the government postmaster at La Tuque, was doing this for the HBC in 1890, however it was not clear that he would continue doing this job. By 1908 a good business was done with the Transcontinental Railway surveyors, contractors, and men working on the line. This business continued for about 2 years and transformed the focus of trade at the post away from fur trading towards retail store. The post was finally abandoned in 1914.

La Tuque Posts
(1828 - unknown), La Tuque
An independent British trade post and a Hudson's Bay Co. post were both established here the same year.

Rat River Posts
(1826 - unknown), Rivière-aux-Rats
A Hudson's Bay Co. post originally located on the west bank of the river, rebuilt in 1844 on the east bank.

An independent British trade post was here in 1828.


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

Southern Québec - page 1 | Québec City - page 2 | Eastern Québec - page 3
Northern Québec - page 5

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