Fort Vermilion (1)

 (1798-1943) - First established as a North West Company trading post in 1788 along the Peace River in present day Alberta, Canada. Became a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post after the consolidation of the HBC and the NWC in 1821. Named after the color of the clay lining the riverbank. Abandoned in 1943.

Old Establishment
First Established in 1788 by Charles Boyer of the North West Company as a fur trading post and fort on the north bank of the Peace River near the mouth of the Boyer River. Alexander Mackenzie arrived here on 19 Oct 1792 on his trip up the Peace River. He said that advance party accidentally burned down the large house and that the fire was advancing on the smaller buildings when he arrived.

Fort Vermillion I
The first Fort Vermilion on the Peace River was probably established in 1798, following the expeditions of Alexander MacKenzie. It was located near the site of the Old Establishment. The Post was transferred to the Hudson's Bay Company after the 1821 merger of the NWC into the HBC. By 1830, it was a prosperous fur trading post. HBC records for the post begin in 1802.

Fort Vermillion II
Relocated in 1831 to the present site of the town of Fort Vermillion, Alberta, Canada. HBC records for the post end in 1906 but indications are that the post existed until about 1943.

Current Status
Part of Fort Vermilion National Historic Site of Canada at the southeast corner of River Road and 45th Street, Fort Vermilion, Alberta. A cairn is located at the "S.S. D.A. Thomas" picnic site along River Road (Peace Drive). Surviving buildings include the "Old Bay House" (1906-1908), the former factor's house on the original site.

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

Sources:
 * HBC Post B.224 records (1802-1906)
 * , page 174.

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Vermilion
 * Canada's Historic Places - Fort Vermilion
 * Wikipedia - Fort Vermilion
 * Fort Vermilion Cairn
 * Fort Vermilion - Old Bay House