Jasper House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jasper House |
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Jasper House marker
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| Location | Jasper, Alberta, Alberta, canada |
| Built | 1830 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| Website | Parks Canada page |
| Designated | 1924 |
Jasper House National Historic Site is a special place in Jasper National Park, Alberta. It was once a very important trading post located along the Athabasca River. For many years, from 1813 to 1884, it helped people travel through the amazing Canadian Rockies. It was a key stop for supplies and a place to rest.
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What Was Jasper House?
Jasper House was a trading post. These were places where people, often fur traders, would stop to trade goods. They also served as rest stops and supply points for long journeys. This particular post was very important for anyone traveling through the Rocky Mountains.
From Rocky Mountain House to Jasper's House
The trading post was first called Rocky Mountain House. But there was another trading post with the same name on the North Saskatchewan River. To avoid confusion, the name was changed to "Jasper's House." It was named after Jasper Hawes, who was in charge of the post from 1814 to 1817.
Where Was It Located?
Jasper House actually had two different locations over time. The very first one is thought to have been near Brûlé Lake. Later, in 1830, the second Jasper House was built at the northern end of Jasper Lake. This second spot was especially helpful for people crossing two important mountain passes: Yellowhead Pass and Athabasca Pass.
The End of an Era
The trading post was used regularly until 1853. After that, it was only used sometimes until 1858. Then, a person named Henry John Moberly reopened it for parts of the year, and he ran it into the 1860s.
The post officially closed in 1884 because it hadn't been very active for many years. Later, from 1891 or 1892 to 1894, a miner named Lewis Swift used the house.
What Happened to the Building?
Sadly, the original Jasper House building was destroyed in 1909. Surveyors for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway took its wood to build a raft. Today, you won't find any big ruins of the building. There is only a small cemetery left.
A National Historic Site
Even though the building is gone, Jasper House is still a very important part of Canada's history. In 1924, it was named a National Historic Site. This means it's a place recognized for its historical importance to the country. Today, you can visit the site and see a special stone and a plaque that remember its history.
