Ontario Plaques
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Fort William Photo by contributor Colin Old - Posted October, 2013 · Photo by contributors Peter and Gloria - Posted July, 2012

Fort William

1783

Text from the plaque

When the boundary settlement of 1783 placed its major inland depot, Grand Portage, in U.S. territory, the North West Company was forced to seek a new site on British soil. Following the reopening of the Kaministikwia route a new post, later named for William McGillivray, the principal Montreal Agent, was constructed here at the river's mouth. Here each summer from 1803 to 1821 the Montreal and wintering partners held council, while trade goods were readied for the Indian country and furs brought down for shipment to Montreal. After 1821, changed supply patterns led to Fort William's gradual decline.

Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.

Find the place

The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
At the base of a pylon on the south side of McNaughton Street
across from McTavish Street

N 48 23.404 W 89 13.899

Recorded October 2013. Check current access before visiting.

More information

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Where it stands

Map showing where the Fort William plaque stands