Kootanae House facts for kids
Kootanae House was an important building used by fur traders a long time ago. It was built in 1807 by a company called the North West Company. This trading post was located near where the town of Invermere, British Columbia is today. It was used for about five years before it was left empty in 1812.
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Kootanae House: A Historic Fur Trading Post
Kootanae House was a place where people traded animal furs. It was built by a man named Jaco Finlay. He was working for a famous explorer and mapmaker, David Thompson. Thompson was exploring and mapping new areas for the North West Company.
Where Was Kootanae House Located?
In 1808, David Thompson wrote down the location of Kootanae House. Today, we know the exact spot is a special place called Kootenae House National Historic Site. It is located at 50°31′36″N 116°02′44″W / 50.526624°N 116.045440°W. The small difference between Thompson's notes and the actual spot is because his measuring tools were not as accurate as ours today.
Why Was Kootanae House Important?
Kootanae House was very important to David Thompson. It was the very first trading post he built in the Columbia Basin. Think of it as his starting point for all his other amazing explorations. From here, he traveled and mapped many new areas in the region. It helped the North West Company trade furs and expand their business.
Discovering the Past: Archaeology at the Site
In July 2005, a group called Parks Canada worked with members of the Ktunaxa Nation. They dug up the ground at the Kootanae House site. This type of work is called archaeology. They were looking for clues about the past. Their discoveries confirmed that this was indeed the location of a North West Company trading post. The findings also helped to clear up some small differences between the site and David Thompson's old descriptions.
A National Historic Site
Because of its important history, Kootanae House was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1934. This means it is a special place that helps us remember and learn about Canada's past.
