Manitoba House facts for kids
Manitoba House was an important place in Canadian history. It was a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post, which was like a store where people traded animal furs. Right next to it was a separate settlement, a small community where people lived. This historical site is located in what is now the Rural Municipality of Alonsa in Manitoba.
A Busy Fur Trading Post
The very first fur trading post near Manitoba House was open for only one season, from 1797 to 1798. It was run by John Best, who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. This early post was called Doubtful Post. It was likely given this name because people weren't sure if it would last. As expected, it closed after just one year. The Hudson's Bay Company did not have a permanent presence in the area for many years after that.
Manitoba House was later built in the 1820s. It was located on the west side of Lake Manitoba, about 15 miles south of the Narrows. This new post was meant to serve a large area, stretching between Riding Mountain and Lake Winnipeg. Many important people worked at Manitoba House. These included Isaac Cowie, who was a fur trader, and Archibald McDonald, who worked as a clerk.
A very important event happened at Manitoba House. On August 21, 1871, Treaty 2 was signed there. This treaty was an agreement between the Canadian government and several First Nations groups.
The Manitoba House Settlement
Right next to the trading post was a community where people lived. This settlement was known simply as the Manitoba House Settlement. It kept this name until 1889. That year, John Norquay suggested a new name for the local post office: Kinosota.
The settlement was made up of many long, narrow pieces of land. These lots stretched out along the shore of Lake Manitoba. This style of land division was common in some early settlements.
One of the oldest Anglican parishes in Manitoba is located in Kinosota. It is called St. Bede's Anglican parish. It was started in 1842 by Reverend Abraham Cowley. The church building itself was constructed around the year 1900. In 1922, the church was moved to higher ground to protect it.
