Fort Walsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Walsh |
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| Type | Fort |
| Location | RM of Maple Creek No. 111, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nearest city | Maple Creek |
| Established | 1873 trading post; 1878 Headquarters NWMP |
| Founder | North-West Mounted Police |
| Built | 1875 (original); c. 1940 (reconstructed) |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Important events | Cypress Hills Massacre |
| Website | Fort Walsh National Historic Site |
| Fort Walsh | |
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| Cypress Hills (Canada) | |
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| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | North-West Mounted Police |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1875 |
| In use | until 1883 |
| Fate | Demolished, later reconstructed as national historic site |
| Battles/wars | Cypress Hills Massacre |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
James Morrow Walsh |
Fort Walsh is a special place in Canada's history. It was once a fort for the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), which was the police force before the RCMP we know today. This historic site is managed by Parks Canada and is part of the beautiful Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
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Building Fort Walsh
Fort Walsh was built in June 1875. It was named after Inspector James Morrow Walsh, who helped build it. The fort had several important jobs. It was meant to stop the illegal trade of alcohol, protect Canada's border with the United States, and help manage relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Why the Fort Was Needed
The need for a fort like Fort Walsh became very clear after a sad event in 1873. This event, called the Cypress Hills Massacre, involved violence and showed that law and order were needed in the area. Because of this, Canada's Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald, decided to create the NWMP.
Important Events at the Fort
Fort Walsh played a big role in the early history of Western Canada. Many important things happened there.
Treaty Signing
On September 25, 1877, several Assiniboine chiefs signed an agreement at Fort Walsh. These chiefs included Man Who Takes the Coat, Long Lodge, and Lean Man. They added their names to Treaty 4, which was an important agreement between the Canadian government and Indigenous nations.
Headquarters for the NWMP
From 1878 to 1882, Fort Walsh was the main headquarters for the NWMP. This meant it was a very important centre for police operations in the region. However, in 1883, the fort was closed down and taken apart.
Fort Walsh Today
Even though the original fort was taken down, its history was not forgotten. The site was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924.
Rebuilding the Fort
In the 1940s, Fort Walsh was rebuilt. This time, it had a new purpose: to raise horses for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their famous Musical Ride. The Musical Ride is a special show where RCMP officers perform horseback drills.
A Place for Visitors
Today, Fort Walsh is a popular place for visitors. You can explore the fort's buildings and see what life was like for the NWMP officers and others who lived there. You can also visit the old townsite, cemeteries, and a place where alcohol was traded illegally long ago.
Protecting the Night Sky
On September 28, 2004, Fort Walsh became part of the Cypress Hills dark-sky preserve. This means the area works to reduce light pollution, making it a great place to see stars and the night sky clearly.
Fort Walsh on a Stamp
On June 28, 1985, Canada Post released a special stamp featuring "Fort Walsh, Sask., circa 1880." This stamp was part of a series called "Forts Across Canada."
See also
