The confluence of the Souris and Assiniboine Rivers was a major victualling centre for the fur trade. During the period from 1793 to 1824, the Hudson’s Bay Company, North West Company, and XY Company maintained posts in this area to trade with the Indians between Lake Manitoba and the Missouri River for corn, pemmican, and fur. The Yellow Quill Trail crossed this region carrying inter-tribal and fur trade traffic. Many famous traders and explorers, including John Macdonell, Cuthbert Grant, Peter Fidler, David Thompson, Alexander Henry, and Daniel Harmon were associated with these posts.
On 15 July 1930, a commemorative plaque and fieldstone cairn was first installed at this site in the Lion’s Club Park in Wawanesa by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. It was eventually replaced by the present structure.
Souris-Assiniboine fur trade posts commemorative plaque (May 2015)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.59953, W99.68382
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Plaques for Persons, Events and Sites of National Historic Significance
The Fur Trade Posts of the Souris-Mouth Area by Alice Evelyn Brown
MHS Transactions, Series 3, 1961-1962 Season
“Wawanesa celebrates in fitting style, despite heat,” Manitoba Free Press, 16 July 1930, page 12.
CNHS Souris - Assiniboine Posts ~ Wawanesa MB, Waymarking.
We thank Peter McLure and Tom Mitchell for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 7 February 2023
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