Fort St. James

Fort St. James (1821-1952) - Originally established as Lake Stuart Post by Simon Fraser for the North West Company in 1806. The fort was renamed Fort St. James when the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) merged in 1821 under the HBC name. The fort was rebuilt four times and continued as an important trading post up until 1952. The post was located on the southeastern shore of Stuart Lake at the confluence of the Stuart and Necoslie rivers. Closed in 1952.

Fort St. James History


Originally established at the south end of Stuart Lake as Lake Stuart Post by Simon Fraser for the North West Company in 1806. The fort was renamed Fort St. James when the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) merged in 1821 under the HBC name. It served as the headquarters for the HBC's New Caledonia District.

The fort was built as a trading post and as such it provided the local indigenous peoples access to trade goods in return for fur pelts. The trade goods sought after by the native peoples included the trademark HBC blankets, cloth, boots, iron cookware, guns, ammunition, traps, saws and liquor. In the early years the HBC displayed the prices of these items in "made beaver" pelts, pelts that had been stretched and cured. A shotgun might be priced at 15 "made beaver". In many places the HBC was the only source of retail goods for the local populations.

The fort was rebuilt four times and continued as an active trading post up until 1952. Chief Factor Roderick MacFarlane arrived in 1887 and he found the buildings in an unsatisfactory state. He instigated a program that moved and rebuilt the buildings and built sturdy boardwalks between them. Most of the buildings from that period have survived and have been restored. The exception is the trade store which burned down in modern times and was recreated in 1975-1976.

The Chief Factor's house underwent many changes over the years but has been restored to the period when Chief Factor A.C. Murray and his family occupied the house (1886).

Closed in 1952.



Current Status
Must See! Fort St. James National Historic Site of Canada, seasonally open (1 June to 22 September). Entrance Fee.

Buildings and attractions:
 * Fur Warehouse (1888-1889) - Storage and Shipping of purchased furs. Open with period interior and costumed period interpreter.
 * Fish Cache (1889) - Dried salmon and bacon for the post. Open with period interior.
 * Men's House (1884) - Residence for male employees and visitors. Open with period interior and costumed period interpreter.
 * Trade Store (1975-1976) - Displayed trade goods for purchase with fur pelts. Open with period interior and costumed period interpreter.
 * Factor's House (1883-1884) - Residence of the factor (Chief officer) of the post and his family. Open with period interior. Available for overnight stays as a bead and breakfast.
 * Wharf and Tramway (1894-1914) - Dock for the lake boats bringing supplies and taking away furs. View only
 * Hide Tanning Shed - Open daily 12:00-12:30 for demonstrations by costumed period interpreters.
 * Flag and Flag Pole - Flag flying daily.
 * Visitor Center - Open daily
 * Information
 * Museum
 * Video and Static displays
 * Cafe - Open Daily from 9am to 4pm.

See Also:
 * Hudson's Bay Company
 * Hudson's Bay Company Forts
 * North West Company
 * North West Company Forts

Sources:

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort St. James
 * Town Site
 * Parks Canada - Fort St. James
 * HBC Archives - Fort St. James Post B-188 (Records 1820-1902)
 * Wikipedia - Fort St. James