Fort Kaministiquia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Kaministiquia |
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| in northwestern Ontario, Canada | |
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| Site history | |
| Built | 1717 |
Fort Kaministiquia was an important French fort. It was located on the north shore of Lake Superior. This spot is now Thunder Bay, Ontario in Canada. The fort was right at the mouth of the Kaministiquia River.
This fort, along with Grand Portage to its west, was a key starting point. From here, people could travel by canoe from the Great Lakes deep into western Canada. This was part of the early Canadian canoe routes. You can find more details about this route by looking up the Kaministiquia River.
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Early Days of the Fort
In 1685, a French explorer named Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut built a trading post near this area. A few years later, in 1688, Jacques de Noyon started a journey from Kaministiquia. He traveled as far as Rainy Lake.
However, in 1696, the trading post was closed down. Many other western posts were also abandoned. This happened because there was too much beaver fur. The French government stopped giving out special permits for fur trading.
Building Fort Kaministiquia
In 1717, a man named Zacharie Robutel de la Noue was sent west. His mission was to find a route to the "western sea," which meant the Pacific Ocean. We don't know exactly how far he went inland. But he is believed to have established Fort Kaministiquia. He stayed there until 1721.
French-Canadian fur traders, known as coureurs des bois, likely spread out from the fort. They explored and traded furs. The English, who were on Hudson Bay, heard rumors about these traders. Some historians think they might have reached as far as Lake Winnipeg.
From 1717, Fort Kaministiquia was one of the "postes du nord," or "northern posts." This group also included posts on the Nipigon River and at Michipicoten.
Expanding Trade and Exploration
In 1728, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye took charge of the northern posts. From 1731 to 1743, he greatly expanded trade and exploration. He pushed west beyond Lake Winnipeg. He mostly used the easier Grand Portage route. But Fort Kaministiquia remained an important base for his operations.
The End of the Fort
Fort Kaministiquia was abandoned around 1758 or 1760. This happened when New France fell to the British during the Seven Years' War.
After the war, fur trade started again by 1767. Traders likely used the Grand Portage route more often because it was easier. Later, the North West Company had to leave Grand Portage. This was because Grand Portage ended up on the American side of the border. So, the company built Fort William on the very same spot where Fort Kaministiquia once stood.
Today, any remains of Fort Kaministiquia are probably buried deep under the modern city of Thunder Bay.
