Sir Alexander Mackenzie [1764–1820] set out from Fort Chipewyan on his expeditions down the Mackenzie River and to the west coast [1].

Fort Chipewyan is Fort No. 109 in Ernest Voorhis [1859–1933], “Historic forts and trading posts” [2]:

North West Co. fort on lake Athabaska. The first fort in this region was built by Peter Pond on Athabaska river about 50 miles above the outlet, on west side. Athabaska river and lake were called Elk river and Lake of the Hills. This fort was built in 1778 and was known as The Old Establishment and Athabaska House and Pond’s House. Athabaska means “Meeting place of many waters.” In 1788 Pond’s fort was abandoned and a new fort built on south shore of lake Athabaska, about 8 miles from mouth of Athabaska river, 38 miles from the old fort, at the south-western end of the lake, on a rocky point projecting into the lake. This fort was built by Roderick Mackenzie of the North West Co. Fort

Chipewyan was styled the “Emporium of the North” and “Little Athens of the Hyperborean regions”. In 1804 this site was abandoned and a new fort (the third) was erected by the North West Co. on a rocky point on the north shore of the lake, the present site. The old fort on the south shore continued to be of us for some years, but in 1815 it was rapidly decaying and was finally abandoned in 1820. The new fort 0n the north shore was “surrounded by rocks and swamps”.

It was the most important North West Co. fort in the far north. After the coalition of 1821, the Hudson’s Bay Co. operated this fort to the present date. Dr. Macoun described the fort In 1875 as follows: “All the buildings are of most substantial character, all shingled and whitewashed, and of imposing appearance. Two large stores with glass windows, each 61 ins. by 31 ins. by 17 ins. high, stand next the landing. Eight houses are occupied by employees of the Company. In the rear is the clerk’s house, 40 x 30 x 17 ft., well plastered and warm. Then the general store and the factor’s house”. The X. Y. Co. constructed a fort in 1800 one mile north of Fort Chipewyan near site of the present R. C. mission. The Hudson’s Bay Co. built Nottingham house in 1802 and Fort Wedderburn 1815. See Forts Athabasca, Nottingham, and Wedderburn.