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Fur Trade Posts at Peace River

Fur Trade Posts at Peace River

Sign reads: In the late 18th and early 19th centuries fur trade companies competed fiercely for the rich resources of the Athabasca region.

The Peace River was an important trade route and the area produced both valuable provisions and furs. In 1790 Alexander McLeod of the North West Company established McLeod's Fort, about 53 kilometres downstream from here, near the mouth of the Whitemud River. In 1792, the post was moved to Fort Fork on the south bank of the Peace just above the mouth of the Smoky River. Alexander Mackenzie wintered at Fort Fork in 1792 - 93 before travelling through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

In 1818 the Hudson's Bay Company challenged the Nor'Westers' supremacy in the region, building St. Mary's House on the south bank of the Peace, near the Smoky River. In 1819 the post was moved across the river to this location. In 1820 St. Mary's House was moved again opposite the mouth of the Heart/Harmon River. Finally in 1821 the Hudson's Bay and North West companies merged. St. Mary's House closed and Fort Dunvegan became the main post in this area of the Peace.

Photo courtesy of the Heritage Community Foundation.

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