Fort Sturgeon facts for kids

Fort Sturgeon (1776–1780) was one of the very first trading posts built on the North Saskatchewan River in what is now Saskatchewan, Canada. It was active for a short time, from 1776 to 1780. This important fort was also known by several other names, like Peter Pond Fort, Fort Pond, and Fort des Prairies. It played a key role in the early fur trade in the region.

What Was Fort Sturgeon?

Fort Sturgeon was a place where European traders and Indigenous people met to exchange goods, especially animal furs. It was built by independent traders from Montreal, often called "Pedlars," who were looking for new areas to trade.

Where Was It Located?

Fort Sturgeon was located on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River. This spot was about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of the modern-day city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was built near where the Sturgeon River (Saskatchewan) flows into the larger North Saskatchewan River.

The area around the fort was special. To the north, there were forests that provided many fur-bearing animals. To the south, there were wide grasslands, which were home to buffalo, an important food source. This mix of forest and grassland, called Aspen parkland, made it a great spot for both hunting and trading.

The Fur Trade and Fort Sturgeon

In the 1770s, many independent traders, known as "Pedlars," were competing for furs in the Canadian wilderness. Some of these traders, including Joseph Frobisher, Peter Pond, Peter Pangman, Nicholas Montour, William Bruce, and Bartholomew Blondeau, decided to work together. In 1775 or 1776, they formed a group that later became the famous North West Company by 1779.

In 1776, this group moved up the North Saskatchewan River and built Fort Sturgeon. It became a busy center for trading furs.

Peter Pond's Journey

One of the most famous events linked to Fort Sturgeon was Peter Pond's journey. In the spring of 1778, Peter Pond left the fort with five canoes and 20 men. He traveled a difficult route called the Methye Portage for the very first time. He spent the winter about 30 miles (48 km) south of Lake Athabasca. When he returned the next year with many excellent furs, he had opened up a new and rich fur trading area called the Athabasca Country.

Competition and Conflicts

The fur trade was very competitive. In 1778, other traders like Pangman and Blondeau built another fort upstream. In 1779, William Tomison from the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) came to the area from Cumberland House to trade while the Pedlars were away.

Life at the fort was not always peaceful. There were often disagreements and conflicts between the traders and local Indigenous people. Sometimes these disputes led to violence. For example, in 1777, three men from Fort Sturgeon were killed. In 1780, Indigenous people burned the fort to the ground when the traders were not there.

The End of Fort Sturgeon

After the fort was burned in 1780, the traders returned and built a new post nearby, "a little below the old House." Historians believe this new site was on the north bank of the river, opposite Betts Island, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) above where the Prince Albert bridge is today.

By 1792, when explorer Peter Fidler passed by, he saw only the ruins of the fort. The original site of Fort Sturgeon might have even been washed away by the river over time.

What Happened After?

Even after Fort Sturgeon was gone, the area remained important for fur trading.

• In 1794, David Grant had a trading post on the Sturgeon River, but it struggled due to competition.
• The XY Company (1798–1804) also built a post two miles (3.2 km) above the Sturgeon River.
• Both the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company built competing posts directly on the Sturgeon River itself.

Today, the site is marked by a special stone monument, called a cairn. You can find it at the end of Peter Pond Road, off Highway 3, about four miles (6.4 km) east of Prince Albert.