In October 1793, Governor Simcoe visited this site occupied at that time by a stockaded trading post owned by George Cowan. During the Seven Years' War the latter had been captured by the French near Fort Duquesne and adopted their language and customs. About 1778, he established himself here, forwarding his furs and receiving supplies through Michilimackinac. Cowan employed six French Canadians by whom he was known as Jean Baptiste Constant. He perished in the sinking of the schooner Speedy, 1804.

Location

East side of Matchedash Bay, Concession Road 12 near the Twin Oaks subdivision, Tay Township, northwest of the village of Coldwater

Themes

• Buildings and structures
• Communities
• Exploration
• Franco-Ontarian heritage
• Fur trade
• Industry and trade
• People
• War and conflict