Fort St. James, British Columbia |
The scenic gateway to an impressive network of lakes, rivers and mountains, the trading post of Fort St. James is located on the shores of Stuart Lake. Fort St. James was originally established by the explorer Simon Fraser for the North West Company in 1806.
Goods from eastern Canada and Europe were brought to Fort St. James for distribution through the fort to outposts in the surrounding area. The fort was the social and economic heart of the fur-trade district, known as New Caledonia, and was the main contact point between fur traders and the Carrier Indians, with furs gathered here being shipped to the European market.
Fort St. James has been restored as a National Historic Site, with town buildings dating back to the 1880s. Fort St. James displays the largest group of original wooden buildings representing the fur trade in Canada. Site visitors have the same spectacular view of Stuart Lake that the Carrier Indians and the fur traders knew so well. Not that they all saw this view the same way: while this was 'home' to the Carrier people, to the fur traders it was 'wilderness'. Hardships, adventures, challenges and changes are all part of the story of this place.
Today, mining, forestry, and a growing tourism industry all play an active role in the economy of the local Fort St James community. Year-round outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities include camping, hiking and biking trails, ballparks, golf, fishing, waterskiing, canoeing, swimming, sailing and boating, alpine and nordic skiing, skating, hockey, curling, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.
The region is rich in wildlife, one of the last great wilderness and resource industry frontiers in the world. This spectacular part of Canada is sparsely populated yet accessible; rural and wild, yet well serviced and close to big city amenities. The weather is characterized by snowy winters and warm summers.
Population: 2,000
Location: Fort St. James is located 100 miles (160 km ) northwest of Prince George, 38 miles (60 km) north of Vanderhoof on Highway 27.
|
