Fort Kamloops

Fort Kamloops (1812-1872+) - A fortified trading post first established by the Pacific Fur Company in 1812 in the present day city of Kamloops, British Columbia. Bought out by the North West Company in 1813 and eventually taken over by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1822. Four different forts in three different locations. Abandoned sometime after 1872. Also known as Fort She-waps and Fort Thompson.

Fort Kamloops Interpretive Panel	Fort Kamloops Marker
View Toward the Site of Fort Kamloops (Location #2) From Across the North Thompson River

History of Fort Kamloops

Four different locations, all at the junction of the North and South Thompson rivers. All built in support of the fur trade and later the Fraser River gold rush:

• Location #1 - South Bank of the Thompson River just below the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.
  • First established by David Stuart in 1812 for the Pacific Fur Company as Fort She-waps.
  • A second fort is established by the North West Company right next to Stuart's fort in 1813 and named Fort Thompson.
  • Stuart's fort is bought out by the North West Company in 1813 and the combined fort is named Fort Thompson.

• Location #2 - East Bank of the North Thompson River just above the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.
  • First established in 1812 by Joseph Laroque for the North West Company. ?????
  • Acquired in 1821 by HBC when the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company merged under the Hudson's Bay Company Name.
  • Abandoned between 1842-1850 for Location #3

• Location #3 - West Bank of the North Thompson River just above the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.
  • Built by HBC as Fort Kamloops 1842-1850
  • Abandoned for Site #1 1861-1862

• Location #4 -South Bank of the Thompson River just below the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers.
  • Final location of Fort Kamloops abandoned after 1872.

Current Status

Markers only, no remains in Kamloops, British Columbia.

---

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Kamloops, British Columbia. Map points are approximate. Maps & Images Lat: 50.679852 Long: -120.352182 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 1,132'

See Also:

• Hudson's Bay Company Forts
• North West Company Forts
• Pacific Fur Company Forts

Sources:

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Kamloops
• HBC Archives - Kamloops
• Quebec History - Fort Kamloops]

Visited: 15 Jun 2014

Fort Kamloops Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!