Lower Fort Garry

We went to Lower Fort Garry today, another national historic site. It is the oldest intact stone fur trading post in North America, built using local limestone and wood. Starting in 1826, it provided materials need to fuel the fur trade. Food, livestock, York boats, and labor were supplied by the Hudson’s Bay Company and it was an essential supply and distribution center for fur and trade goods. There was a complete Industrial complex: gristmill, malt house, boat building, distillery, lime kiln, fur loft, and retail store, everything needed during the 1860’ s.The garrisons on the four corners had little gun ports for defense and you can see the house on the opposite river bank here.The large stone enclosure had an Indian settlement outside. In 1871 a treaty was made between the Ojiway and Swampy Cree Nations and the Crown, the first of 11, that set the stage for the settlement of Western and Northern Canada. In later years, the fort served as the training center for the North-West Mounted Police before their march along the ‘red coat trail’ to the west. It served as a provincial penitentiary, mental health facility, and a Motor Country Club got 50 years before it was restored in the 1960’s.

We passed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the way to see the Riel House of the family of Louis Riel who led the Red River Rebellion as the Métis fought to retain their culture and property in the 1850’s. It was beautifully restored to that time, including the outhouse out back, after it was bought by Parks Canada in 1969 when the Riel family who were still living it finally sold it. I had to laugh at the washboard in the yard. I actually had on of those, although it was glass not tin when I was first married in 1962. Beautiful sunny weather.