We continue this week with our look at early fur trading in the Timmins area, during the time when Canada was just starting to develop.
Local historian Karen Bachmann tells us this area was named Rupert’s Land for Prince Rupert. The cousin of King Charles II financed the first exploration.
Hudson’s Bay Company opened Frederickhouse Fort in 1764 to intercept furs coming down from Moose Factory. It operated until 1794.
“But they did establish a new post at Kenogamissi, and that one there ran right up until 1812 and again was there to counter the activities of the Northwest Co., who were in direct competition with the Hudson’s Bay Co.,” Bachmann relates.
There were also Abitibi House and Flying Post, which both operated for over 200 years, until 1914.
Bachmann says there were posts at Attawapiskat, Lake Attawapiskat and Brunswick House.
“The really big ones of course were at Moose Factory, at York Factory and the granddaddy of them all, the Fort Albany Post, which was one of the important ones on the Albany River.”
Next week, more on the original attraction in Europe for North American fur.
