Hudson's Bay Post 1856

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 27, 2006

Plaque Location

The District of Manitoulin
The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands
In Little Current, on the southwest corner of Manitowaning Road at Water Street on a post against the side of a building

Plaque Text

In 1856 the Hudson's Bay Company, faced with decline in trade at La Cloche on the mainland, obtained permission to establish a post at Little Current. A substantial log building, this community's first European structure, was built near here in 1856-57 by George McTavish, the clerk in charge of La Cloche. However, opposition from some Indians and resident missionaries to what they considered encroachment on the Reserve caused the government to rescind the Company's license in 1859 before trade began. In 1868 the building was purchased by G. B. Abrey for use as a residence. Twice remodelled, it was destroyed by fire in 1942.