Fort William

There are two plaques about this fort.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photo by contributor Parks Canada - Posted December, 2011

Plaque Location

The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
Just in from the sidewalk on the north side of Vickers Park
on Arthur Street East, just east of Waterloo Street South

Coordinates: N 48 22.834 W 89 15.643

Plaque Text

In aboriginal times the Kaministikwia river was an important link between the Great Lakes and the northwest, and from the late 17th century French posts here at its mouth served as bases for the penetration of the interior. Between 1804 and 1821 this was the depot from which the North West Company tapped the rich fur resources of half a continent. In 1875 construction was begun for the lake terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and in 1883 the first grain from the prairies reached here for trans-shipment to the east. In 1905 a second transcontinental line, the Grand Trunk Pacific, was begun from here.

Photo by contributor Parks Canada - Posted December, 2011

Plaque Location

The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
At the base of a pylon on the south side of McNaughton Street
across from McTavish Street

Coordinates: N 48 23.404 W 89 13.899

Plaque Text

When the boundary settlement of 1783 placed its major inland depot, Grand Portage, in U.S. territory, the North West Company was forced to seek a new site on British soil. Following the reopening of the Kaministikwia route a new post, later named for William McGillivray, the principal Montreal Agent, was constructed here at the river's mouth. Here each summer from 1803 to 1821 the Montreal and wintering partners held council, while trade goods were readied for the Indian country and furs brought down for shipment to Montreal. After 1821, changed supply patterns led to Fort William's gradual decline.

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