Fort Kaministiquia 1717
A small fort was established near here in 1717 by a French officer, replacing an earlier structure. It served as the base of operations for la Vérendrye, the famous explorer. A later fort of the same name was built downriver and renamed Fort William in 1807. It became the nucleus of the city.
Location:
At the city hall, 500 Donald Street East, Thunder Bay
Themes:
Buildings and structures, Franco-Ontarian heritage, Fur trade
Plaque text:
A small fort was established near here in 1717 by a French officer, Zacharie Robutel de la Nouë. First of a projected series of bases en route to the "Western Sea," it replaced a structure built in 1679 by Daniel Greysolon, Sieur Dulhut, on another branch of the Kaministiquia River delta. It served as a trading post and base of operations, 1727-43, for Pierre Gaultier de la Vérendrye, the famous explorer. Following the conquest of New France in 1760, this fort was abandoned. A later Fort Kaministiquia, built a short distance downriver by the North West Company, was renamed Fort William in 1807. It became the nucleus of this city.
