Fort Dumoine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Dumoine |
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| On the Ottawa River, in Zec Dumoine, in Pontiac Regional County Municipality, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, in Quebec, Canada | |
 Fort Dumoine
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| Coordinates | 46°12′59″N 77°51′07″W / 46.21651°N 77.85194°W |
| Type | Fortress |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | France until 1760, then British government |
| Site history | |
| Built | Built around 1730 |
| In use | 18th and 19th centuries; stopped activities in 1860 |
The Fort Dumoine was an important trading post built a long time ago. It was set up by the French in a place called New France. You can find its old location where the Dumoine River meets the Ottawa River. This area is now in the southeastern part of Zec Dumoine, in Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada.
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Fort Dumoine: A Historic Trading Post
Fort Dumoine was built to help with trade between European settlers and Indigenous peoples. It was a key meeting point for groups like the Anishinaabe, Atikamekw, and Hurons. The fort also helped protect these communities from raids by the Iroquois.
Why Was Fort Dumoine Built?
The main goal of Fort Dumoine was to make trading easier. People exchanged goods like furs, tools, and other supplies. It was also a safe place for different nations to meet and trade peacefully. The fort stood on land that had been a meeting place for Indigenous peoples for many years.
A Glimpse into the Past
In 1762, a traveler named Alexander Henry visited the area. He was on his way to Sault Ste-Marie. Henry wrote about finding a trading post at the mouth of the Du Moine river. He met some Maskegon Indians there and traded many items for their furs. This shows how active the fort was, even after the French period.
Changes in Ownership
After being left empty for a while, the Fort Dumoine became busy again in 1784. This was thanks to the North West Company, another big trading company. An old map from 1801 by Alexander Mackenzie shows the Du Moine river. This map helps us understand the geography of the area back then.
In 1811, the famous Hudson's Bay Company took over the fort. They continued trading there for many years. However, the fort eventually stopped its operations in 1860. This happened because of logging companies moving into the area. Their activities harmed the natural homes of animals, especially beavers. With fewer beavers, there were fewer furs to trade.
What Happened to the Fort?
Today, you cannot see the original site of Fort Dumoine. The area was completely covered by water when Holden Lake was created. This happened after the Des Joachims dam was built. The dam construction took place from 1946 onwards. So, the historic fort now rests beneath the waters of the lake.
