Hudson Bay Company fort ca.1930
Fort Simpson's origins as a community began in 1803 as Fort of the Forks. Fort of the Forks existed solely as a fur trading site and was situated near what is now known as Fort Simpson. The Village of Fort Simpson became a permanent settlement July 1822 when the Hudson's Bay Company began construction of a trading post, naming it for George Simpson, then Governor of Rupert's Land. Until 1910 this was "a company town", with some participation by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Missions.
Panaromic view of Fort Simpson.
The Dene know it as Liidli Kue, meaning The place where the rivers come together, and for many hundreds of years it had been an important place to gather and celebrate each summer after the break-up of the ice. In the 19th century, European fur traders, explorers, Christian missionaries and others moved into the Dene homeland with the result that the European influence, while important to the development of Canada as a whole, has tended to obscure the rich cultural history of the Dene. The loss of a traditional way of life has contributed greatly to many of the region's current social problems. There exists a tremendous need for communal healing and cultural revival: preservation and adaptive re-use of some of the Fort Simpson's old buildings is one avenue to achieve community wellness, pride and self-determination.
No building from the 19th century has survived but eight, built before 1940, still stand.
Royal Signals Corps ca.1940
Photo by - Donald Bastock
Lafferty House.
A historic house still lived by the Lafferty family.
ca. 1928/1929
Albert Faille's House.
Originally it was the kitchen wing
of the Indian Agent's House. ca.1920.
Dr. Truesdell's Barn. ca.1936
Whittington Hotel. ca.1925
St. Margaret's Hopsital. Opened 1916
St. Margaret's Hopsital Fire. June 1930
Roman Catholic Rectory used as a temporary hospital afterwards.
Army Camp at Fort Simpson Airport ca.1942/43.
Photo by - Donald Bastock
Panoramic view of Fort Simpson.
All photos and text are copyrighted by the Fort Simpson Historical Society. Specific photo credits are noted with each photo. The photos and text may not be used without giving credit to the Fort Simpson Historical Society. For more information please click here.
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