Saskatchewan Forts

Canadian Forts

SASKATCHEWAN

Last Update: 25/AUGUST/2025

Graburn Post
(1888), near Fort Walsh
A NWMP patrol post on Battle Creek northwest of Fort Walsh, along the Alberta border.

Fort Walsh (National Historic Site)
(1875 - 1883, 1942 - 1968), near Maple Creek FORT WIKI
A reconstruction of a North West Mounted Police (NWMP) stockade fort. Headquarters of the NWMP from 1878 to 1882. Abandoned in 1883, then burned in 1886. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) later rebuilt the post in 1942 as a remount depot to breed and train horses. Administered by Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Parks Canada). Admission fee.

Along Battle Creek to the south on the Benton Trail were American Abel Farwell's Trade Post/Fort (1872 - 1873), and also Moses Solomon's Trade Post/Fort (1872 - 1873), illegal "wolvers", both reconstructed on Parks Canada land by the RCMP in 1972 (limited public access). About 2 km south of Fort Walsh (off Parks Canada land) is the site of the Cypress Hills Massacre (NHS) (June 1873), where the American traders killed Nakota Indians in camp, precipitating the formation of the NWMP.

Battle Creek Post
(1875 - 1917), near Fort Walsh
A NWMP patrol post located on Battle Creek south of Fort Walsh. Originally named Ten Mile Post. First established as a tent camp in 1875 on the Benton Trail at the Battle Creek crossing, this detachment continued as a summer outpost until 1886 when several log buildings were erected. It was occupied almost continuously until the end of 1917.

Farwell Creek Post
(1888), near Ravenscrag
A NWMP patrol post on Farwell (Fairwell) Creek.

Chimney Coulee Post (Provincial Historic Site)
(1871 - 1872), Eastend
Site of a Hudson's Bay Co. post, located about 6 km north of town at the former Métis "Hunters' Settlement" (pre-1870). The last-standing namesake stone chimney collapsed in 1915.

The North West Mounted Police built a detachment post here in 1876, used intermittently until 1887 (East End Post). It was then relocated to a site just east of town, about 200 metres south of the present railroad bridge, and used until closed in 1914.

Maple Creek Post
(1888), Maple Creek
A NWMP patrol post.

Chesterfield House
(1800 - 1805, 1822 - 1823, unknown - 1857 ?), near Estuary
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the confluence (on north bank) of the South Saskatchewan and Red Deer Rivers near the Alberta border.

A North West Co. post (1791 ?, 1800 - 1805) and an XY Company post (1800 - 1802) were also located here (Bow River Post). A NWCo. hunting party was attacked by Gros Ventres Indians in February 1802 near here.

The post at Chesterfield House was established in the autumn of 1800 by Peter Fidler. In August 1800 Fidler and eighteen men left Carlton House (1) in two boats to go up the south branch of the Saskatchewan River. They arrived at the junction of the Red Deer and Bad Rivers in September 1800 where they established Chesterfield House. Fidler may have named the post after the residence of Richard Hulse, Deputy Governor of the HBC, in Kent, England, or after the market town of Chesterfield, close to where Fidler lived in Bolsover, Derbyshire. Soon after they began building the post, the North West Company and the XY Company arrived to build competing posts nearby. Once the HBC post was established, Fidler traded with Fall and Blackfeet groups in the area. However due to strained relations with the Fall people, the HBC abandoned its post in fear of violent attacks in April 1802.

The HBC traded at Chesterfield House again during the winter of 1804 and 1805 under the direction of Joseph Howse. After 1805 Chesterfield House was abandoned until 1822, when the Bow River Expedition, led by Chief Factor Donald McKenzie, built a temporary trading shop, provision store, and palisade four miles below the junction of the Bow and Red Deer Rivers. The Bow River Expedition was sent to explore the south branch of the Saskatchewan River and the area around the sources of the Missouri River. It was not successful however, and the establishment was closed in April 1823.

Saskatchewan Landing Post
(Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park)
(1888), Saskatchewan Landing
A NWMP patrol post on the South Saskatchewan River, south of Kyle.

Swift Current Camp
(1874, 1888), Swift Current
A North West Mounted Police camp. Either still in use intermittently through the 1880's, or later re-established in 1888 as a patrol station.

Snake Creek Post (2)
(1888), near Val Marie
A NWMP patrol post on Snake Creek.

Wood Mountain Post (Provincial Historic Park)
(1874 - 1918), Wood Mountain
A North West Mounted Police post. Two buildings have been reconstructed and stumps outline the rest of the post. Admission fee. Sitting Bull and 5,000 Sioux followers fled the United States and took refuge here in 1877 after the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Willow Bunch Post
(1888), Willow Bunch
A NWMP patrol post.

Camp Norris
(1888), near Ormiston
A NWMP patrol post near Shoe Lake.

Long Creek Post
(1856 - 1858), near Torquay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on Long Creek.

Wood End Post (Museum and Historic Site)
(1883 - 1896), near Estevan
A North West Mounted Police border patrol post. One of the barracks, built in 1883, is now a museum located next to the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (formerly the National Exhibition Centre) at 118 4th Street. It was moved from the original site before the construction of the Boundary Dam in 1957, and was later acquired by the museum in 1985. Artefacts and exhibits of the NWMP inside the museum. In 1873-74 the original "Wood End" site, located on the Souris River at Long Creek, first served as a camp for surveyors of the British North American Boundary Commission. The NWMP also encamped here in 1874. See also Genealogy and History of Estevan by Doug Gent

Short Creek Camp
(1874), Roche Percee
A North West Mounted Police campsite. Site marked by a stone cairn just east of town.

Souris River Post (2)
(1888), near Carnduff
A NWMP border patrol post on the Souris River at the international border, southwest of town.

Carlyle Post
(1888), Carlyle
A NWMP patrol post.

Cannington Post
(1888), Cannington Lake
A NWMP patrol post near the White Bear Indian Reserve.

Moosomin Post
(1888), Moosomin
A NWMP patrol post.

Whitewood Posts
(1891 - 1906), Whitewood
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

A NWMP patrol post was here in 1888.

Whitewood was established as a Hudson's Bay Company post some time around 1891 to replace the post at Crooked Lake. It was located in what is now southeastern Saskatchewan. Trade was conducted with Aboriginal people from a nearby reservation, as well as with townspeople and settlers of the Whitewood area. After 1892 it appears to have operated as a saleshop only. The store was sold in 1908 to the Whitewood Trading Company.

Fort Espérance (National Historic Site)
(1785 - 1810, 1816 - 1819), near Rocanville
A North West Co. supply and provisioning post established by Robert Grant. Also known as Fort Qu'Appelle (1). Originally located on the bottomland on the south bank of the Qu'Appelle River at or near the mouth of Big Cut-Arm Creek, it was abandoned in 1810, relocating west to the "Qu'Appelle Lakes" (present Round Lake). The NWCo. returned to this site in 1816, rebuilding about 300 yards away on a nearby knoll to prevent flooding. The post was relocated again in 1819 about 22.5 km (10 miles) east to present-day Manitoba (Beaver Creek Post) (see also). The present monument is just west of the first fort site, which is currently a cultivated farm field by the river. Faint cellar depressions still remain at the first site, and cellar depressions and chimney mounds also still remain at the second site, maintained by Parks Canada.

Nearby to the east (about one mile downriver also on the south bank) was the XY Company post Qu'Appelle River Post (2) (1801 - 1805).

Fort John
(1801 - 1816), near Rocanville
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north bank of the Qu'Appelle River, about two miles west of Big Cut-Arm Creek. Also known as Qu'Appelle River Post (1). (HBC records cover 1793 - 1819, which includes the NWCo. Fort Espérance) It was burned down by the Nor'Westers in 1816.

A North West Co. post was also located nearby in 1814 - 1816 before relocating to Fort Espérance.

Qu'Appelle River Post (3)
(1808 - 1814), near Bird's Point
A North West Co. post on the Qu'Appelle River at Round Lake, south of Stockholm. Exact location undetermined. Relocated to Fort John in 1814.

Broadview Post
(1888), Broadview
A NWMP patrol post.

Wolseley Post
(1888), Wolseley
A NWMP patrol post.

Qu'Appelle Lakes Post
(1854 - 1864), near Qu'Appelle
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, also known as Fort Qu'Appelle (2), located just southwest of the future town site, possibly closer to present-day McLean. Rebuilt or relocated in 1857. Replaced by Fort Qu'Appelle (3) in 1864. No remains. The present town, founded in 1882 on the new Canadian Pacific Railroad line, was originally named Troy until 1884, then Qu'Appelle Station until 1902, then South Qu'Appelle until 1911.

A NWMP post was later here in 1888 (Qu'Appelle Station Post).

Fort Qu'Appelle (3) (National Historic Site)
(1852 - 1854 (?), 1864 - 1897), Fort Qu'Appelle FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. post built in 1864 (HBC records cover 1882 - 1911), located on the south bank of the Qu'Appelle River at Jumping Deer Creek. The Anglican Mission was built in 1866 four miles east of the fort. The first post office was established in 1880. Indian Treaty Number 4 was signed here in September 1874. The Canadian Militia (North West Field Force) in 1885 used one of the HBC log buildings (school), which is still located adjacent to the (Town of) Fort Qu'Appelle Museum at 198 Bay Ave. North (admission fee). The old HBC post was closed in 1897 and replaced by a stand-alone HBC store built that year at Broadway Street and Company Ave. (closed 1911). The town was known as both Fort Qu'Appelle and Qu'Appelle until 1911. See also History of the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle || Qu'Appelle River History at Great Canadian Rivers.com

A NWMP outpost was built across the river in 1876 - 1882 (monument (1955) and markers (1976) located at the present-day Echo Ridge Golf Course). Building foundations are marked in stone. (FORT WIKI)

The Hudson's Bay Company considered establishing a post on the Qu'Appelle River in 1829 to protect the trade in that area from American traders, but these plans did not immediately materialize. The exact date of a post being established in the area is not known, but there was a post at Qu'Appelle Lakes by at least 1853. In 1854 it was moved 18 miles south to the Squirrel Mountains. It remained at this location until 1864, when it was moved back to Qu'Appelle Lakes (also known as the Fishing Lakes). In 1872 Deputy-Surveyor W.S. Gore made a survey of the HBC's reserve at Qu'Appelle, and situated the post on the south side of the Qu'Appelle River, in between the two Fishing Lakes.

From 1882 to 1892 Fort Qu'Appelle was headquarters for the Swan River District, and from 1904 to 1911 it was headquarters for the Manitoba District. A store was built at the site in 1879, and by 1892 only saleshop business was conducted out of the post due to the disappearance of fur-bearing animals and the advent of settlers. A new store building was erected in 1897. Despite its emphasis on saleshop business, the post continued as headquarters for the fur trade in the Manitoba Distict until 1911. From 1905 to 1907 portions of the fur trade establishment were sold to Archibald McDonald, Jr., who was in charge of Fort Qu'Appelle from 1879 to 1911. The store was closed in October 1917, with the stock and fittings sold to D.H. McDonald, the son of Archibald McDonald, Jr..

Fort San
(no dates), Fort San
The town derives its name from the old (town of) Fort Qu'Appelle Sanatorium, built here in 1912 and opened in 1917.

Regina N.W.M.P. Depot
(1882 - present), Regina FORT WIKI
Established as the headquarters post and main supply depot of the North West Mounted Police. Many of the original buildings burned down in 1888, 1911, and 1920. Still an active post, it now functions as the sole cadet training academy for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The RCMP Heritage Centre is located here. See also RCMP Drill Hall (1929), Administrative Block (1913), and Chapel (1883) from Canadian Register of Historic Places

Moose Jaw Post
(1888), Moose Jaw
A NWMP patrol post.

Last Mountain House (Provincial Historic Park)
(1869 - 1871/1873 ?), Craven FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. supply post, a subpost of Fort Qu'Appelle (3). Practically abandoned after the 1871 season, but possibly still used until the 1873 season, but no later. It burned down after it was abandoned. Three of the buildings have been reconstructed, as well as a privy and underground ice house. Admission fee.

Touchwood Hills Post (Provincial Historic Park)
(1849 - 1890/1909), near Punnichy FORT WIKI
Site of a Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1852 - 1888). It was temporarily closed in August 1862. Originally located southeast of town at Little Touchwood Hills, it was relocated or rebuilt in 1861 near (Charles) Pratt's Mission, and then relocated again in 1867 east of the town. Relocated a third time in 1879 about two miles north to its last site. Only cellar depressions remain at the last site. The Canadian Militia (North West Field Force) temporarily camped here in May 1885. Remnants of cart tracks from the HBC's Carlton Trail also remain nearby.

A NWMP patrol post was located just southeaast of the fourth and last HBC site in 1888.

Touchwood Hills was established by 1849, located northwest of Fort Qu'Appelle in present-day Saskatchewan. The post was named as such because it supplied local Aboriginal people with timber as fire ignition before the invention of matches. Given the abundance of buffalo in the area, Touchwood Hills supplied buffalo for pemmican for the Swan River District. In 1860 the post was moved about 48 kilometres to Little Touchwood Hills where its business was amalgamated with Fort Qu'Appelle (2) (Qu'Appelle Lakes). The post went by the name "Little Touchwood Hills" until 1867, at which time it was abandoned and the former Touchwood Hills post site was re-established. In 1879 the buildings of the post were moved onto W 1/2 Sec. 29 Tp. 27 R15W to be adjacent to the main trail north between Indian reserves. At the end of the century, the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway brought surveyors and engineers into the area and increased the business at Touchwood Hills. In 1909 the post was closed.

Saltcoats Post
(1888), Saltcoats
A NWMP patrol post on the Manitoba and Northwestern Railroad.

Cuthbert Grant's House
(1791 - 1798), near Runnymede
A North West Co. post on the east side of the Assiniboine River, about eight miles south of Kamsack, above Aspin Creek and below Little Boggy Creek, just north of Lake of the Prairies. Also (or later ?) known as Aspin House. Also known as Fort Tremblante (or Rivière Tremblante Post). Cuthbert Grant later died in 1799. His son, Cuthbert Grant (Jr.), was born here in 1793. The abandoned post reportedly burned down in 1800. Chimney mounds were still evident as late as 1890. Site excavated in 1967.

Marlboro House
(1793 - 1794), near Kamsack
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Assiniboine River, built by Charles Isham, located just above the Whitesand River.

Albany House
(1796 - 1803), near Kamsack
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Assiniboine River, near Marlboro House, built by John Sutherland. Rebuilt or relocated in 1799. Also referred to as Glascow House is some period documents.

Albany House was established by John Sutherland in the fall of 1795. It was located initially near the head of the Assiniboine River. Sutherland received orders to abandon the post in 1798, and rebuilt at a position four or five miles higher up the river in 1799.

Fort Hibernia (1)
(1803 - 1807), near St. Philips ?
Originally an XY Company post for one season, then taken over by the North West Company (by late 1803). Apparently located near the elbow of the Assiniboine River, exact location undetermined.

Fort Pelly (National Historic Site)
(Fort Pelly - Livingstone Museum)
(1824 - 1912), near St. Philips FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1793 - 1912). Also known as Indian Elbow Post. It was originally located about 13 km southeast of Norquay, at the "elbow" of the Assiniboine River. Rebuilt after destroyed by a flood in 1825, and rebuilt again in 1842 after a fire. After the new fort was built in 1856-57, the old fort was probably still used in some capacity until 1859. Fort Pelly Site #1 PHS.

In 1856 the post was relocated 0.4 km southeast of the original site due to flooding. Later used by the North West Mounted Police. This was the headquarters of the HBC's Swan River District until 1871. The abandoned post was sold and dismantled in 1921. No remains. The HBC relocated to a new retail store in Yorkton in 1911. Fort Pelly Site #2 NHS. The Fort Pelly-Livingstone Museum, located at 305 1st Ave. South in Pelly, was destroyed by fire in June 2015, with the loss of many historic artefacts relating to both forts.

Fort Pelly was established in 1824 by Allan McDonell for the purposes of concentrating the business of the Swan River District and the Upper Red River District into one post. The post was most likely named in honour of John Henry Pelly, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1822 to 1852. Fort Pelly served as the headquarters of the Swan River District from 1824 until at least 1871. In the summer of 1825 half of the establishment was carried off by severe floods, and all the crops were destroyed. A fire swept through Fort Pelly in the winter of 1842-1843, destroying the greater part of the post. It was immediately rebuilt by Chief Trader Cuthbert Cumming, but because the site suffered occasional flooding, a new post was built in 1856-1857 on higher ground, east of the original site. Headquarters of the Swan River District were moved from Fort Pelly to Fort Ellice around 1871. When the railway was constructed to the north of Fort Pelly, development in the area shifted away from the post and in 1912 it was closed permanently.

Snake Creek Post (1)
(1797 - 1799 ?), near Pelly
A North West Co. post on the Swan River at Snake Creek. (HBC records included with Fort Pelly)

(See also Somerset House (HBC) (1794-96), and Bird Mountain House (NWCo.) (1793-95) on MANITOBA page 1, for additional predecessor posts of Fort Pelly that are included in the HBC Archives post records)

Fort Livingstone (National Historic Site)
(1874 - 1882), near Pelly FORT WIKI
A North West Mounted Police post, originally known as Swan River Barracks, located on the south bank of the Swan River and east side of Snake Creek, about 16 km north of the HBC's Fort Pelly, and 7.3 km northwest of town. This was the first headquarters of the NWMP, and the first capital of the Northwest Territories in 1876 - 1878. The NWMP HQ moved to Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1876, and the post then became a subpost of Shoal Lake, Manitoba. The buildings burned down in 1884 after the post was abandoned. See also Canadian Register of Historic Places
Fort Livingstone Protected Area from Canadian Register of Historic Places

Belleau's Fort (1)
(1795, 1803), near Tadmore ?
An independent British trader's wintering post located on the east or north side of the Assiniboine River, near the Elbow Lake post (Fort Alexandria). (NOTE: Belleau the same person as Balleau ? (see below))

Fort Alexandria
(1795 - 1821), near Tadmore
A North West Co. post on the west or south side of the Assiniboine River, about 13 miles north of Canora, and about one mile downstream from the Highway 9 bridge. The stockade was 256 feet by 196 feet. Also (originally ?) known as Elbow Lake Post. Rebuilt or relocated in 1803, probably after a short closure. It was later closed from 1805 to 1807.

Carlton House (2)
(1795 - 1800), near Tadmore
A Hudson's Bay Co. post built by Charles Isham and Peter Fidler on the east side of the Assiniboine River, about 80 yards north of Fort Alexandria. Also known as Fishing Island Post. Also known as New Carlton House. Established the same year and with the same name as the HBC's other Carlton House (1) on the Saskatchewan River near Prince Albert.

Carlton House (2) was established in October 1795 by Peter Fidler and Charles Thomas Isham, travelling from Swan River. It was located on the south side of the Assiniboine River in present-day Saskatchewan. In September 1799 the house was found destroyed. Carlton House was closed in March 1800 and its goods sent to Indian Elbow.

Upper Assiniboine House
(1803 - 1805), near Tadmore
An XY Company post on the (east side ?) Assiniboine River, near the site of the HBC's Carlton House (2).

Fort Hibernia (2)
(1807 - 1822), near Sturgis
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north or east side of the Assiniboine River, about five miles above Fort Alexandria. Replaced by Fort Pelly, but the "Fort Hibernia" name seems to have been retained in the HBC records until about 1858.

Egg Lake Post (2)
(1853 - 1916), near Swan Plain ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, possibly on the Swan River. (NOTE: The Atlas of Saskatchewan (1969) places this post about ten miles west of Nut Lake.)

Egg Lake was established in 1852 as a guard post in the Swan River District. It was located on Nut Lake in present-day Saskatchewan. Beginning in the 1880's Egg Lake was alternately known as Nut Lake. In 1892 Egg Lake's goods were removed to Touchwood Hills due to a fire. After that, its goods and provisions were furnished to it each fall. In 1916 Egg Lake closed due to poor trade.

Capot River Post
(1830's - 1890's), near Périgord ?
An HBC post located on the southeast shore of Nut Lake, east of Rose Valley. Later (date ?) moved to the stream that flows from Little Nut Lake to the east.

This was likely the same as the HBC's Nut Lake Post at the south end of Nut Lake, as depicted on an 1888 NWMP map.

Red Deer River Posts
(1812 - 1815, 1862 - 1890's), near Hudson Bay
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Red Deer River.

The North West Co.'s Upper Red Deer River Post was located at or near the mouth of the Etomami River in 1785. A second post was located on the opposite side of the mouth of the river, possibly a rebuild of the NWCo. post (?), or possibly an XY Company post (?), or an independent trader (?).
(NOTE: the NWCo.'s Lower Red Deer River Post (1797) was located at Red Deer Lake in Manitoba.)

An undetermined trade post was built in 1757 on the Red Deer River at Erwood.

Red Deer River was created in 1812 by Alexander Kennedy of the HBC. It was located on the south bank of the Red Deer River in present-day Saskatchewan, about 35 metres from a North West Company post. It is unclear if Red Deer River was occupied between 1822 and 1862. After 1862 it appears to have operated as a winter post only. In the 1890's it served as an outpost for Shoal River. It is unclear when Red Deer River was abandoned.

Pas Mountain Post
(1870 ?/1929 - 1934), near Shoal Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located in the Pasquia Hills, probably built as early as 1870 (?) (HBC records begin 1929). This was likely the same post as shown on an 1888 NWMP map on the Carrot River northwest of Shoal Lake.

Pas Mountain was established sometime in the 1880's as a winter outpost for The Pas (Manitoba). It only operated sporadically when opposition traders threatened the area. It was located on the Carrot River on the Red Earth Indian Reserve, about 215 kilometres up from The Pas in present-day Saskatchewan. In June 1915 Pas Mountain became a full post. For a time it operated an outpost at nearby Shoal Lake. In 1934 Pas Mountain was abandoned.

Cumberland House (Provincial Historic Park)
(1774 - 1942), Cumberland House
A Hudson's Bay Co. supply post on Pine Island (HBC records to 1940). This was the first true inland post of the company, and became the province's first permanent white settlement in 1796. Originally located about 500 yards west of Fort Frobisher, the post was moved in 1793 about 2 km west to its present site. The post's importance sharply declined after 1925 with the arrival of the railroad to Flin Flon, Manitoba. The successor HBC store closed in 1965. An 1886 stone powder magazine remains on site. Nearby are the salvaged remains of the Hudson's Bay Co.'s steamboat Northcote, which beached here in 1886. It had played a role in transporting troops and supplies for the assault on Batoche during the Northwest Rebellion in May 1885.

The North West Co. built a competing post (1780 - 1821) about 100 yards away from the original HBC post. Rebuilt/relocated in 1793. It was abandoned after the merger of the two companies.

An XY Company post (date ?) was also likely located here.

Cumberland House was established in 1774 by Samuel Hearne and was the first Hudson's Bay Company inland post. Its creation marked a shift in HBC trading practice, as the company moved inland to meet Aboriginal hunters instead of trading with them just at Hudson and James Bays. Cumberland House was built on the south shore of Cumberland Lake on what was known as "Pine Island" in the Saskatchewan River delta. This site was strategic in that it lay at the convergence of the river systems from both Hudson Bay and Lake Superior, heading west into the Athabasca region. As a result, Cumberland House became an important depot and distribution centre for boat brigades travelling into the Athabasca. It also served as the headquarters for the York Inland District, created in 1786 as a sub-district of the York Factory District. During the 1770's and 1780's Cumberland House operated outposts at Upper and Lower Hudson House. Given its location, Cumberland House faced fierce competition from the North West Company (NWC) and other opposition traders. In 1789 Cumberland House was moved about 2 kilometres further west and, four years later, the North West Company built a post right next to the HBC post. In 1818 William Williams, governor in chief of Rupert's Land, named Cumberland House the headquarters for armed battles against the NWC. After the merger between the two companies in 1821, the NWC house was abandoned and the HBC house occupied. Cumberland House became the headquarters for the newly created Cumberland District. At this time, Cumberland House declined in importance since Norway House was named the new supply depot for the west. Cumberland House continued to carry on fur trade as well as acting as a pemmican and country produce depot for northern posts.

In the 1870's the introduction of steamboats on the Saskatchewan River once again turned Cumberland House into an important transporation distribution centre. Steamboats travelled from Grand Rapids and deposited supplies at Cumberland House, from which point York boat brigades transported supplies north and west. However, by 1875 changes in the flow of the Saskatchewan River made steamboat transportation unpredictable and Cumberland House again declined in importance. Cumberland House continued to operate as a post and store into the twentieth century. In the 1940's it operated an outpost at Pine Bluff. On Christmas Eve, 1942, the store was destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. In 1959 the administration of Cumberland House was transferred to the Northern Stores Department. It continued to operate as a Northern Store until 1987 when the stores were sold to the Hudson's Bay Northern Stores (later called North West Company).

Fort Henry - Frobisher
(1773 - 1774), Cumberland Lake
An independent British trade post located about 500 yards east of the HBC's first Cumberland House on Cumberland Lake. Also known as Frobisher - Primeau House, or simply Fort Frobisher. Named for the Frobisher brothers, Benjamin and Joseph, and Alexander Henry, Sr., future founders of the Northwest Company, and who funded this expedition; or alternatively for Joseph Frobisher and Louis Primeau, the traders who actually wintered here and ran the post. Artefacts from this post are located north at the Northern Gateway Museum (admission fee) in Denare Beach on Moody Drive.

Donald Mackay's Post (1)
(1785 - 1786), near Squaw Rapids ?
An independent British trader's wintering house on the Saskatchewan River.

Petaigan River Post
(1792 - 1793), Tobin Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the Saskatchewan River at the Tobin (Thornburn) Rapids. This set of rapids was later inundated by the creation of Tobin Lake in 1963.

Possibly the same site (?) (or nearby ?) as the independent Hungry Hall House (1792 - 1793) by free-traders Alexander Ross and William Thornburn, located at the Grand (or Thornburn) Rapids.

The post at Petaigan River was established in 1792 by Malcolm Ross in opposition to a North West Company post in the area. Ross had received instructions to build the post from William Tomison, chief in charge of York Factory inland district. The post was situated north of the Saskatchewan River near Tobin Lake. It is not clear when Petaigan River was closed, but it is possible that it was only open until 1793.

Fort la Jonquière
(1751 - 1753 ?), near Nipawin ?
A small French supply post on the upper Saskatchewan River, possibly located somewhere near Pemmican Point at Cumberland Lake, or possibly as far west as the "Lower Nipawi" (Nipawin), just below the rapids. A few early historians had speculated that the post may have been located even as far west as present-day Calgary, Alberta, but several modern-day historians have flatly refuted that. No physical evidence has ever been found to support any of the proposed locations, however.

Nipawin Post (2)
(1794 - 1795), Nipawin
A Hudson's Bay Co. post at the Nipawin Rapids, about three miles below the Codette Rapids. Possibly still used as late as 1816 (?).

The post at Nipawin was founded in October 1794 by James Bird, Sr.. He and eighteen men had left York Factory in July 1794 and established Nipawin on the Saskatchewan River, east of where the river branches into north and south tributaries. Nipawin was likely open for only one season, as Bird and his men left the post in June 1795 and do not appear to have returned.

William Thornburn's House
(1789 - 1791), near Nipawin
A North West Co. post on the Saskatchewan River, below Finlay's Falls.

François - Finlay House
(1768 - 1773), near Nipawin
An independent British trade post on the south bank of the Saskatchewan River at Finlay's Falls, built by François LeBlanc and James Finlay. The site was later used as a wintering post by other traders for several years, possibly as late as 1808.

David Grant's Lower Nipawin House
(1793 - 1795), near Nipawin
An independent British trade post on the Saskatchewan River, above Finlay's Falls. Both Peter and David Grant (cousins ?) left the North West Co. in 1792 and joined in partnership. David returned to Montréal (QC) in 1795, Peter rejoined the North West Co. in 1796.

Pichet's House
(1790 - unknown), near Nipawin ?
An independent British trade post. Location undetermined.

Stoney Creek Post
(1884 - 1891), Melfort
A Hudson's Bay Co. farming operation on Stoney Creek (a tributary of the Carrot River), established by Reginald Beatty. The village was renamed in 1904 with the arrival of the railroad.

Stoney Creek was established some time before 1884. It was located in the Cumberland District in present-day Saskatchewan. A new building was erected at the post in 1884. The post operated until at least 1891, although the exact date of its closure is unknown.

Isaac's House
(1773 - 1774), near Brockington
An independent British trade post (by Isaac Batt) on the south bank of the Saskatchewan River, below Peonan Creek. Also known as Fort aux Trembles.

Fort à la Corne (1) (National Historic Site)
(1753 - 1757), near Weldon FORT WIKI
A French trading post located at the "Upper Nipawi" on the Saskatchewan River, at or near Peonan Creek, also known as Fort des Prairies or Fort St. Louis (1). This was the furthest west French post known during the colonial era. A 1926 stone monument is located in Memorial Park on Main Street in Kinistino.

Fort à la Corne (2)
(1846 - 1932), near Weldon FORT WIKI
The Hudson's Bay Co. constructed this post (HBC records begin 1851) near the site of the old French fort (see above), on the south bank of the Saskatchewan River. Relocated three miles upriver in 1887. Closed in 1932. The Nepowin Mission (1831) was nearby.

Fort à la Corne (2) was established by the HBC in around 1850 at the site of a Canadian post which had been created in 1753. The Canadian post was named in honour of its founder, Louis François St. Luc de la Corne. When the HBC established itself on the site, the post was first known as Upper Nipawin (2) or Nepewan. This name was used until 1853, at which time the company adopted the original Canadian name. Fort à la Corne functioned as a provision post of transport brigades heading west. It was situated on the south bank of the Saskatchewan River, a few kilometres from where the river branches into its North and South tributaries. In 1885 it was moved about three kilometres southwest, about one kilometre off the river. During the 1880's Fort à la Corne operated an outpost at Candle Lake (see page 2). In 1930 the HBC acquired the nearby Révillon Frères post and moved its operations into its buildings. In 1932 Fort à la Corne was closed and the site was handed to the administration of the Land Department.

Fort Carlton (1)
(1795 - 1804), near Weldon
A Hudson's Bay Co. post located just below the Forks of the Saskatchewan River. Also known as Carlton House (1). Established the same year and with the same name as the HBC's other Carlton House (2) on the Assiniboine River near Sturgis. Rebuilt/relocated nearby in 1801. Relocated to a site near the former South Branch House in 1804.

The North West Co.'s Fort St. Louis (2), or Nepawin House (1) (1794 - 1805), was first located here, near Pine Creek.

David Grant's Upper Nipawin House (1)
(1793 - 1794), near Weldon
An independent British trade post located just below the Forks of the Saskatchewan River, near the HBC's Fort Carlton (1).

Fort Maranquin
(1830's), near Brockington ?
An independent trade post on the Saskatchewan River. Noted in 1835. Undetermined location.

Batoche's Fort
(1820's), near Brockington ?
An independent trade post on the Saskatchewan River. Noted in 1827. Undetermined location, possibly at Batoche Point ?

Balleau's House (2)
(1801), St. Louis
An independent British trader's wintering post. (NOTE: Balleau the same person as Belleau ? (see above))

South Branch House (Provincial Historic Site)
(1786 - 1794), near St. Louis FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the south or east bank of the South Saskatchewan River, about 12 km above town, and below the present Duck Lake Ferry. This was at or near the historic "Gardepuy's Crossing". Attacked and burned in June 1794 by Gros Ventres Indians, killing all the occupants but one. Site was later used as a summer outpost for Cumberland House for several seasons after 1796. Cellar depressions and a chimney mound still remain at the site.

The North West Co. also had a post located here in 1785, and was also attacked in June 1794 and subsequently abandoned.

An independent British trade post (Fort de L'Isle (1)) was also here in 1785.

South Branch House was built in 1786 by Mitchell Oman on the south branch of the Saskatchewan River, in opposition to two North West Company posts in the area. In June 1794 the Hudson's Bay Company post was burnt down and most people at the post were murdered by the Atsina or Fall people. The victims included Magnus Annel, Hugh Brough, William Fea, one woman and two children. Two women were also taken as slaves. One man, John Cornelius Van Driel, escaped. After this incident the HBC abandoned South Branch House.

Fort Carlton (2)
(1804 - 1810), near St. Louis
A Hudson's Bay Co. post that was relocated from the Forks of the Saskatchewan River to a new site about 36 miles (58 km) up the South Saskatchewan River, about six miles above South Branch House. Also known as Carlton House (3).

The North West Co. also rebuilt here in 1804 (to 1810).

Duck Lake Post
(1881 - 1906), Duck Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover 1885 - 1906).

There appears to have been a post at Duck Lake by 1881. It was located near Batoche, just west of the Saskatchewan River. A saleshop was opened at Duck Lake in March 1891. By December 1892 the Duck Lake saleshop was closed.

Batoche (National Historic Site)
(1885, 1888), Batoche
This preserved village served as the Métis' "Provisional Government of Saskatchewan" headquarters under Louis Riel during the Northwest (Riel) Rebellion. The Battle of Batoche occurred in May 1885 against the Canadian Militia (North West Field Force). The North West Mounted Police later built barracks here in 1888 (at Batoche Crossing). The town was practically abandoned by 1920.

Other nearby Northwest Rebellion sites include: Fish Creek NHS (Parks Canada) (site of the "Battle of Tourond Coulee" (April 1885)), about 25 km south of Batoche; and the "Battle of Duck Lake" NHS (March 1885), located on the Beardy and Okemasis Indian Reserves near Duck Lake, the first battle of the Northwest Rebellion. Of interest in Duck Lake is the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre (admission fee).

Saskatoon Post
(1888), Saskatoon
A NWMP patrol post.

Saskatoon HBC Store
(1922 - 1958), Saskatoon
The Bay, Saskatoon, opened in May 1922 at its original location on 2nd Avenue North. In 1922 the Hudson's Bay Company purchased the well-established J.F. Cairns Limited Department Store in downtown Saskatoon for $350,000. The building was five storeys tall with elevators and a state of the art sprinkler system. All former Cairns employees were transferred to the HBC's service and the store closed for two weeks in order to prepare for opening day. The grand opening of this store under HBC's banner drew massive crowds and broke existing one-day retail sales records for the city. In October 1922 the Imperial Restaurant opened on the fourth floor, offering fine dining and a banquet hall that could be booked for private functions.

In January 1958 HBC announced that it was going to construct a new three storey store on the site of the old one. Construction began later in 1958 and the new store opened on 16 June 1960. The cost of the construction was $3 million. In 1965 HBC rebranded its department stores, including the Saskatoon store, as "The Bay." The following year construction began on a new six level parkade and a fourth floor addition, which were both completed in 1967. In 1999, upon the sale of Eaton's to Sears, HBC acquired several former Eaton's properties. The Saskatoon Bay store was moved from its location on 2nd Avenue North into Midtown Plaza at 201 First Avenue South. This new store was one of seven Bay stores across Canada that opened on 2 May 2000, the Hudson's Bay Company's 330th anniversary. As of 2013 the Midtown Plaza location is still in operation and has been rebranded as "Hudson's Bay."

NOTE: The Hudson's Bay Company went out of business for good in June 2025, after 355 years.

Sixty Mile Bush Post
(1888), near Duperow
A NWMP patrol post located in the "Bear Hills".

Fort Providence
(1780 - 1781 ?), near Prince Albert
A North West Co. trade post on an island in the North Saskatchewan River. Its ruins were noted in 1808.

Prince Albert Blockhouse
(1885), Prince Albert FORT WIKI
Originally built as a settlers' stable/barn in the 1870's, it was fortified by the local settlers for defence during the Northwest Rebellion, but was never needed. Originally located at 1st Ave. West and 12th Street, relocated in 1932 to Kinsmen Park at 1st Ave. West and 22nd Street. A second storey was apparently removed about that time. No interior access.

Nearby at 2nd Ave. West and Marquis Road is the Rotary Museum of Police and Corrections, which is located in the former 1888 NWMP Guardhouse (Prince Albert NWMP Post). (FORT WIKI)

Prince Albert Post
(1867 - 1911/1924), Prince Albert
A Hudson's Bay Co. 100-acre farming operation (1867) and flour mill (1880) (HBC records cover 1881 - 1885), at what was then the village of Goshen (until 1885). The Prince Albert Presbyterian Mission was built 4 km east in 1866. A 3000-acre reserve was allotted to the HBC in 1872. The HBC's steamboat operations in the 1880's were also based here, with warehouses at the steamboat landing near the mill. The mill burned down in 1884 and again in 1895, rebuilt each time. The mill was closed in 1915. The original HBC store was closed in 1911. (NOTE: "Fort Albert" seems to be a misnomer for the HBC post, as there was no "fort".)

The Hudson's Bay Company opened a post at Prince Albert, first known as Fort Albert, sometime after the establishment of a Presbyterian Mission there by Reverend James Nisbet in 1866. The Council of the Northern Department appointed an employee to Fort Albert in 1867, but this position may not have been filled until Philip Turner took charge of the post in 1868.

The Deed of Surrender of 1869, in which the HBC sold much of its territory in Rupert's Land to the Dominion of Canada, granted a reserve of 3000 acres of land at Fort Albert to the HBC. About 100 acres of this land was cultivated by HBC personnel, and was known as both Albert Farm and Carlton Farm. As settlement began to increase in the area, the HBC expanded its non-fur trade business, building a large saleshop in 1879 and a grist mill in 1881 to produce flour from the grain grown on the farm. Sometime before 1887 a second saleshop, known as the "West End" or "Town" saleshop, was built in the town of Prince Albert; this was closed at the end of outfit 1897-1898, while the saleshop at the post continued.

Prince Albert was headquarters of the Saskatchewan District from 1882 to 1892, headquarters of the Cumberland District from 1899 to 1901, and headquarters of the new Saskatchewan District from 1901 to 1915. In 1911 the Prince Albert saleshop was closed, and in 1915 the mill and fur trade post were also closed.

Sturgeon Fort
(1776 - 1780), near Prince Albert
An independent British trade post on the North Saskatchewan River, at the mouth of the Sturgeon (Shell) River, about three miles west of the city. This was probably the same post (Pond's Fort (1)) that was said to have been established by Peter Pond in 1776, located just to the west of town. The mouth of the river has shifted west twice since that time. A memorial cairn (1955) from the Prince Albert Historical Society is near the site, but the actual fort site is totally eroded away.

Sturgeon River Posts
(1790's), near Prince Albert
Located on the Sturgeon (aka Shell or Setting) River west and northwest of the city were several trade posts established by the North West Co. (1793 - 1795), Hudson's Bay Co. (Setting River Post) (1798 - 1799), XY Company (1798 - 1805), and other independent traders. The area was abandoned or otherwise unoccupied by any traders by 1808.

Setting River was established in September 1798 at the mouth of the river of the same name (aka Net Setting River). It was built by Magnus Twatt who was sent to the site to establish further inland trade for the York Inland District and to oppose Canadian trade in the area. Setting River was likely only in operation for that outfit year, closing in the spring of 1799.

Lake Assiniboine Post
(1890 - 1898), near Debden ?, or near Canwood ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post (HBC records cover only 1897) on the upper Shell Brook River, according to the HBC Archives post locator map.

Lake Assiniboine was in operation by 1890 as an outpost of Green Lake Post (2). It was located at the northern end of the lake of the same name. In 1892 Lake Assiniboine was not in operation. Beginning in 1894 it operated as an outpost for Shell River. By 1898 it was closed.

Shell River Post
(1883 - 1897/1910), near Shell Lake ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the upper Shell Brook River, according to the HBC Archives post locator map.

Shell River was established in 1886 on land sold to the HBC by Paul de la Ronde, a former free trader who had been squatting on the land. The post was situated between Prince Albert and Green Lake in present-day Saskatchewan. In 1887 an Indian shop was built. During the 1890's Shell River operated an outpost at Lake Assiniboine. In 1897 the HBC decided to close its Shell River operations. The post was rented to Paul de la Ronde who carried out his own trade. However, it appears that the HBC still did some business at the site until at least 1910.

Lower Hudson House
(1779 - 1787, 1790's), near Crutwell
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the North Saskatchewan River, about three or four miles below the "Yellow Banks". Burned after it was abandoned, probably in 1791. Site was later used as a summer outpost for Cumberland House for several seasons after 1796. An unmarked Indian smallpox cemetery (1782) is nearby. Chimney mounds and cellar depressions remain at the site. Located within the Nisbet Provincial Forest, the site was designated a Provincial Heritage Property in 2022. Located about 35 km west of Prince Albert.

Lower Hudson House was established in 1779 by York Inland District Master William Tomison as an outpost for Cumberland House. It was located on the North Saskatchewan River at NW 16-48-2W3, about 25 kilometres down the river from the abandoned Upper Hudson House. David Thompson spent the winter of 1778-1779 at Lower Hudson House on his survey journey. In 1791 the post was burned down by North West Company traders and was not rebuilt.

Upper Hudson House
(1778 - 1779), near Shellbrook ?
A Hudson's Bay Co. post on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River, about 80 miles above the Forks, and about four miles north of "Silver Grove". Relocated about 15 miles (24 km) downstream in 1779 to the Lower Hudson House. Named after HBC trader George Hudson.

An independent British trade post was also located here in 1778.

Upper Hudson House was established in 1778 by Philip Turnor as an outpost for Cumberland House. It was situated on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River at SW 32-46-3W3. Upper Hudson House was the first inland outpost established for the purpose of intercepting trade with competition. At the time, it was the uppermost post along the Saskatchewan River. In the spring of 1779 it was abandoned.

Tute's Canadian House
(1782 - 1785), near Wingard
A North West Co. post. Possibly the same as Fort du Milieu (?).

Fort du Milieu
(1780's or 1790's ?), near Wingard
A North West Co. post on the North Saskatchewan River, below Wingard. Also known as Middle Fort or Half-Way House, as it was roughly located halfway between Fort la Montée and Lower Hudson House. It was noted as being long abandoned by 1808.

Fort Carlton (3) (Provincial Historic Park)
(1810 - 1885), Carlton FORT WIKI
A replica of a Hudson's Bay Co. post as rebuilt in the 1860's. The store is now a fur trade history museum, and the visitor centre is in a reconstruction of the 1879 Factor's House. The reconstruction includes the stockade wall, five buildings, and a First Nations encampment. Admission fee.

The North West Co. relocated Fort la Montée here in 1810, after the HBC arrived, closed in 1820.

The NWMP was garrisoned here in 1875 for the Treaty No. 6 negotiations, and again in March 1885 (with some Canadian Militia troops) during the Northwest (Riel) Rebellion. The fort accidently burned down as it was being evacuated.

James Sanderson [Sandison] established the Hudson's Bay Company post of Carlton House (1) in 1795. The post, named after the residence of the Prince of Wales in London, was originally situated just below the junction of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers. In its first fifteen years of existence, Carlton House (aka Fort Carlton) was moved three times: from the Forks of the Saskatchewan to Upper Nipawin in 1801, to the South Branch House on the Saskatchewan in 1804, and finally to the south bank of the North Saskatchewan near the "Crossing Place" in 1810. The North West Company established a competing post nearby in 1798, "La Montée," which appears to have operated until the union of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company in 1821. John Franklin visited Carlton House in January and February 1820, on his first journey to the Arctic. Carlton House was headquarters of the Saskatchewan District from 1824 to 1826, and again from 1873 to 1882. From 1874 to 1882 it was the location of annual meetings of the Council of the Northern Department. In 1884 and 1885 post buildings were leased to the North West Mounted Police for use during the Métis resistance. Carlton House was abandoned in 1885, and the fort was burnt and destroyed by participants of the North West Rebellion.

Fort la Montée
(1797 - 1810/1820), Carlton
A North West Co. provisioning post originally on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River about three miles upstream from the HBC's Fort Carlton (3). Relocated and rebuilt adjacent to Fort Carlton (3) in 1810. Closed in 1820.

Muskeg Lake Post
(1888), near Marcelin
A NWMP patrol post at the Muskeg (Petequakey) Indian Reserve.

Pigeon's House
(1779 - 1800 ?), near Maymont ?
A North West Co. post on the North Saskatchewan River.

Montagne d'Aigle (Eagle Hill) Post ?
(1778 - 1779), near Maymont
An independent British trade post on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River, established by Peter Pangman and John Cole. Abandoned after an Indian attack in April 1779, in which Cole was killed. Monument located in Glenburn Regional Park, although the actual site may have been about nine miles below the Battle River mouth, near Denholm.

An HBC post (Eagle Hill Post (2)) (date ?) was also said to have been located near here.

Battle River Posts
(1800 - 1804 ?, 1805 - 1821), Battleford
A North West Co. post on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River, just above the mouth of the Battle River. Known as Fort War Road in 1805 (a rebuild or new post ?).

An independent British trade post (1785 - 1794) was also located here.

Fort Battleford (National Historic Site)
(1876 - 1924), Battleford FORT WIKI
A North West Mounted Police post. Five buildings have been reconstructed along with the stockade and bastions. These include the Commanding Officer's residence (1876), Officers' quarters (1886), stable (1898), guardhouse (1887), and barracks (1886). The fort sheltered the local settlers during the Northwest Rebellion in 1885. This was the administrative centre of the Northwest Territories in 1878 after Fort Livingstone. Admission fee.

The Canadian Militia (North West Field Force) built Fort Otter, a fortified camp, nearby at the former Government House in April 1885 in response to the Northwest Rebellion. The Government House burned down in 2003. The "Battle of Cut Knife Hill" (May 1885) occurred to the west near Cut Knife. Of interest in Cut Knife is the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum in Tomahawk Park.

Battleford Post
(1868 - 1892/1914), Battleford
A Hudson's Bay Co. retail store (HBC records cover 1883 - 1914). It was ransacked and looted by the Cree and/or Métis in April 1885 during the Northwest (Riel) Rebellion, before the North West Field Force arrived on the scene.

The post at Battleford was established at least by 1868, when it was mentioned for the first time in the minutes of the Council of the Northern Department. It was located on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River, near the mouth of the Battle River. In 1869 Battleford operated as an outpost of Fort Pitt; in 1873 it was a winter outpost of Fort Carlton (3); and from 1874 to 1875 it was again an outpost of Fort Pitt. When the town of Battleford became the seat of government for the North West Territories in 1876, the HBC built a new post. The town lost the seat in 1888 and this, coupled with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the area, resulted in a loss of trade for the HBC post. In 1892 a saleshop was opened at Battleford, which operated until its closure in 1910.

Jackfish Lake Posts
(1858 - 1882 ?), Jackfish Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post.

The NWMP established a patrol post here in 1895 - 1909. One building still remains, relocated in 1967 to the grounds of the Western Development Museum in North Battleford, and restored in 1972.

Turtle Fort
(1780 - unknown), near Delmas
A North West Co. post on the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River, about one mile below the mouth of the Turtle Lake River. Also known as Turtle River House. It was noted to be in ruins by 1799.

Near here the HBC established Somerset House (1799 - 1800) (not to be confused with the earlier Somerset House in Manitoba).

Somerset House was established by Henry Hallet. It was situated on the North Saskatchewan River between Buckingham House and Carlton House in present-day Saskatchewan. In 1800 Somerset House apparently was closed.

Bressalop Post
(1888), near Delmas
A NWMP patrol post.

Pine Island Posts (Protected Area)
(1785 - 1793), near Edam
A North West Co. wintering post built by James Mackay on an island in the North Saskatchewan River, about three and one-half miles below the mouth of the Englishman River. Also known as Fort de L'Isle (2) (not to be confused with the later Fort de L'Isle in Alberta).

The Hudson's Bay Co. also built Manchester House (1786 - 1793) nearby, on the north bank of the river just above the mouth of the Englishman River. (FORT WIKI) Both posts were burned and abandoned in the autumn of 1793 after attacked by Gros Ventres Indians. The post was later rebuilt in 1796, and was used as a summer house until closed in 1860. Cellar depressions still remain.

Three other independent traders also operated here in 1786-87, including Peter Pangman, Donald Mackay (Mackay's Post (2)), and someone named Champagne.

The NWMP spent two nights encamped on the island in April 1885, after evacuating Fort Pitt, on their withdrawal to Fort Battleford.

Manchester House was established in October 1786 by Robert Longmoor, next to an existing North West Company house. Manchester House was located near Cumberland House on Pine Island, near the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River. In the summer of 1788 the post closed and was partially destroyed, but appears to have been in operation shortly afterwards until the summer of 1793. In 1796 Manchester House opened again as a winter outpost for Cumberland House, while South Branch House and (Lower) Hudson House were used as summer outposts. It operated as such until 1860 when it was permanently closed.

Edward Umfreville's House
(1784 - unknown), near Hillmond
A North West Co. post on the North Saskatchewan River, below Fort Pitt.

Fort Pitt (Provincial Historic Park)
(National Historic Site)
(1829 - 1890), near Frenchman Butte FORT WIKI
A Hudson's Bay Co. provisioning post (HBC records cover 1830 - 1918). This post was the halfway point between Fort Carlton (3) and Fort Edmonton (Alberta). Briefly closed from April 1832 to the autumn of 1833. Rebuilt in 1873 about 100 metres southwest of the original site. Area settlers fled here for protection after the Frog Lake (Alberta) Massacre in April 1885. Garrisoned by a detachment of North West Mounted Police in September 1876 for the signing of Indian Treaty Number 6. The NWMP returned to garrison the post from 1883 to 1885. Cree Indians lay seige to the fort for 12 days in April 1885, then burned down the post after allowing the NWMP garrison to withdraw to Fort Battleford. The HBC later that year rebuilt the post, then finally abandoning it in 1890 in favour of the Onion Lake Post. Gun pits from the Northwest Rebellion are located nearby, along a walking trail. The remains of both post sites are visible and outlined within the park. The HBC Factor's House from the second post was reconstructed on site in 1973, but now no longer remains.

Nearby to the east on Little Red Deer Creek is the Frenchman Butte NHS (Parks Canada), scene of battle in May 1885 between the Alberta Field Force and the Cree Indians. Of interest in Frenchman Butte is the Frenchman Butte Museum. Northeast of Fort Pitt near Loon Lake is Steele Narrows PHP, site of the "Battle of Loon Lake" (June 1885), the last military action on Canadian soil.

Fort Pitt was established in September 1829 by Patrick Small to accomodate trade with the Middle and Beaver Hill Crees. It was situated on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River, halfway between Fort Carlton (3) and Fort Edmonton (in Alberta). The post was named in honour of Thomas Pitt, a member of the HBC's Governor and Committee. In April 1832 Fort Pitt was abandoned but re-established in the autumn of 1833.

In 1876 Indian Treaty Number 6 was signed at Fort Pitt with local Aboriginal groups. During the winter of 1884-1885, two of Fort Pitt's buildings were occupied by North West Mounted Police detachments during the North West Rebellion. In April 1885, as the rebellion progressed, Fort Pitt was evacuated and Chief Trader William James McLean was taken prisoner. The post was subsequently pillaged and burned down. Soon after, Fort Pitt was rebuilt with new buildings added in 1887 and 1888. In 1890 Fort Pitt was abandoned and its business and buildings moved to Onion Lake. It appears to have operated, likely as an outpost of Onion Lake, until at least 1918.

Onion Lake Posts
(1887 - 1925), Onion Lake
A Hudson's Bay Co. post, originally an outpost, then successor to Fort Pitt after 1890, as it was deemed better sited for the now dwindling trade. The HBC's Island Lake Post at Lac des Îles (near Pierceland) was a subpost of Onion Lake until 1918. (see page 2)

A NWMP patrol post was here in 1888.

Onion Lake was established in 1877. It was located about 20 kilometres north of Fort Pitt on land rented from the Roman Catholic mission on the Onion Lake Indian reserve. The Northwest Rebellion of 1885 created a shift in the Aboriginal population in the region, placing Onion Lake at a better location than Fort Pitt as a centre of trade for the region. In 1887 Onion Lake became an outpost of Fort Pitt. In 1889 the HBC was ordered to stop trading on the reserve. As a result, some buildings from Fort Pitt were moved to a new Onion Lake site just outside of the reserve. In 1890 Fort Pitt became an outpost of Onion Lake. During Outfit 1927-1928, Onion Lake was an outpost of Cold Lake (Alberta) (see also). Onion Lake was closed at the end of this outfit year.

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

Northern Saskatchewan - page 2

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