Paint Creek House facts for kids
Paint Creek House and Fort Vermilion were two important fur-trading posts in Alberta, Canada. They were built close together on the North Saskatchewan River, about 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of the Saskatchewan border. Paint Creek House belonged to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), and Fort Vermilion was run by the North West Company (NWC). These posts were key places for trading furs during the early 1800s. It's good to know that this Fort Vermilion is different from another one in Mackenzie County, Alberta.
Where They Were Located
These two forts were used from 1802 to 1816. They were built on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River, across from a place called Lea Park. This spot was near where the Vermilion River joins the larger North Saskatchewan River. For safety, both trading posts were built inside one large, strong fence, called a stockade. Paint Creek House was on the east side, and Fort Vermilion was on the west. Being on the north bank also offered some protection from groups living to the south. Fort Vermilion was sometimes called Lower Fort des Prairies.
A Look at Their History
The exact year these forts were started, 1802, isn't completely certain. By 1808, important people were in charge: Alexander Henry 'The Younger' for the NWC and Henry Hallet for the HBC. Alexander Henry's notes show that the post had many people living there, including about 30 workers and their families, totaling 106 people.
In September 1809, Alexander Henry came back from Fort William, Ontario. He found about 300 tents of Blackfoot people waiting to trade their goods. While trading, he kept a small cannon pointed at their camp. This was to make sure everyone behaved well during the trading.
By 1810, both the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company decided to move their main operations further upriver. They moved to a new location for Fort Edmonton, which was at the northernmost bend of the river. Even though the main posts moved, the old forts at Paint Creek and Fort Vermilion stayed open for a while.
When Gabriel Franchère visited in 1814, he found about 90 people still living there. However, there wasn't much food or supplies to buy. Both Paint Creek House and Fort Vermilion were finally closed for good in May 1816.
What Remains Today
Around 1980, people could still find some old cellar holes in a clearing. These were the remains of the buildings from the fur-trading posts. The area is located at the end of a dirt road, east of the Alberta Highway 897 bridge. Because of its historical importance, this archaeological site was officially named a provincial historic resource in 1976. This means it's a protected place that helps us learn about the past.
