Ontario's Historical Plaques

at ontarioplaques.com

Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques

The Capture of Fort William

The Capture of Fort William

Photo by contributor Dave Fernie - Posted October, 2005

The Capture of Fort William

Photo from Google Street View ©2010 Google - Posted October, 2010

The Capture of Fort William

Photo Source - Wikipedia

Plaque Location

The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
On the west end of a park at May Street North and Leith Street


Coordinates: N 48 23.165 W 89 14.785

Map

Plaque Text

In 1812, the Earl of Selkirk settled dispossessed Scottish highlanders on Red River valley lands granted by the Hudson's Bay Company. The HBC's rival in the fur trade, the North West Company, feared the new colony would block its trade and supplies. Clashes between traders and colonists culminated with the killing of twenty settlers in the Massacre of Seven Oaks on June 19, 1816. News of Seven Oaks reached Selkirk as he was travelling westward with Swiss mercenaries hired to defend the colony. On August 13, he seized Fort William, the Nor'Westers' inland headquarters, and arrested several senior partners. A bitter court battle ensued. The incident contributed to the British government's decision to pressure the two fur trade companies to merge in 1821.

Related Ontario plaques
Fort William
The North West Company

More
Information

More
The Military

More
Assorted Events





Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).