Fort McLoughlin
Fort McLoughlin | |
---|---|
Fur Trade Outpost | |
Constructed: | 1833 |
Location: | Campbell Island in present-day British Columbia, Canada. |
Continent: | North America |
Later Ownership: | Hudson's Bay Company |
Fort McLoughlin was a fur trading post established in 1833 by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) on Campbell Island in present-day British Columbia, Canada. At the time the Hudson's Bay Company performed quasi-governmental duties on behalf of the British Empire as well as undertaking trade for profit. The site is believed to have been at McLoughlin Bay on the northeast side of Campbell Island and is associated with the relocation of the Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella from its former location on islets near Denny Island. The McLoughlin name, which is that of John McLoughlin, regional head of company operations at that time, is also found in a lake and a creek entering that bay, and was conferred on these locations after the fort had closed.[1][2][3][4]
Background
One of the primary reasons for the establishment of Fort McLoughlin, as well as
Operations
Fort McLoughlin was built in May or June, 1833, on a protected bay on Campbell Island, at Lama Passage in
The fort was situated in the midst of a densely populated indigenous area.The Hudson's Bay post established here in 1833 was named Fort McLoughlin, but after the erection of the fort the surrounding Indians gathering around it, the place gradually became known as Bella Bella, the name adopted, generally, for the Indians of the vicinity by the officers of the company. Dr. Tolmie, who was stationed at Fort McLoughlin, 1833-1834, gives the name of the principal tribe as the Bil-Billa or Haeeltzuk Indians; John Dunn, trader and interpreter, also stationed here about the same date, and again later spells the name Bel-Bellahs.[9]
Although successful in the fur trade, Fort McLoughlin was not self-sufficient in food. Supplies were brought annually from
The Heiltsuk community of Old Bella Bella (then known simply as Bella Bella, or its alternate name Glts) arose by the fort during its operations and continued after the closing of the fort.
Closure
Fort McLoughlin was closed by
One report states that the Heiltsuk burned the abandoned fort; "The Indians who had gathered around the fort, left to their own devices, immediately burned it down to obtain the iron used in its construction, and nothing now remains of this early trading post.[13]"
The Hudson's Bay Company had a change of heart, and established a store on the site of the former fort. "It operated for many years but finally the pendulum swung back and in May 1883 the premises were rented to John Clayton of Bella Coola, for $5.00 per month.[13]"
The Heiltsuk community of Old Bella Bella (then - simply - 'Bella Bella') remained on the site after the departure of the Hudson's Bay Company.
See also
- Old Bella Bella
- Bella Bella, BC
- Heiltsuk Nation
- Maritime fur trade
References
- ^ "Bella Bella (community)". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "McLoughlin Bay". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "McLoughlin Creek". BC Geographical Names.
- ^ "McLoughlin Lake". BC Geographical Names.
- ISBN 0-7748-0613-3.
- ^ a b c Mackie (1997), pp. 132–134.
- ^ Tolmie, William Fraser (1963). Physician and Fur Trader. Vancouver: Mitchell Press Limited.
- ^ Koppel, Tom. Kanaka, the Untold Story of Hawaiian Pioneers in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver, B.C.: Whitcap Books. 1995, p. 52.
- ISBN 0-295-97142-8
- ^ Mackie (1997), pp. 269–270.
- ^ Large, R. Geddes (1968). Drums and Scalpel: From Native Healers to Physicians on the North Pacific Coast. Vancouver: Mitchell Press Limited. p. 4.
- ^ Bancroft, Hubert Howe; Nemos, William; Bates, Alfred (1887). "History of British Columbia, 1792-1887". San Francisco: The History Co.: 59, 93, 100 & 193.
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(help) - ^ a b Large, R. Geddes (1968). Drums and Scalpel: From Native Healer to Physician on the North Pacific Coast. Vancouver: Mitchell Press Limited. p. 4.