ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE

NAME: Rocky Mountain House
COUNTY: N/A
ROADS: 4WD
GRID: 2
CLIMATE: Mild summer,cold winter
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer
COMMENTS: Central Alberta
REMAINS: The old fort.
Ruins of Rocky Mountain House can be seen along the side of the Saskatchewan River some 50 miles west of the city of Red Deer on highway 11. It had a beginning as a fur trading post with the Indians of southern British Columbia. The post was built by and belonged to the North West Company, the rival company to the Hudson Bay Company. It was built around the year 1799 but was never successful as the Indians only came to trade when they wanted to which was not very often. Consequently, the post was opened and closed numerous times throughout its existence. The post was closed for the last time in 1875. With this, a long chapter in the history of the fur trade closed for good. The Historic Parks Branch of the federal government has opened a park on the site of the old trading post. On display are replica of some of the buildings, York boats, and other paraphernalia of the old fur trading era.
H.B. Chenoweth

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