Athabasca, Alberta
The town of Athabasca is located beside the Athabasca River 150 km north of Edmonton on Highway #2. Before the coming of the white man, native tribes chose the flats of Athabasca River as a resting place, a camping place, a place to meet their friends and to trade. The name Athabasca came from the Cree word "ATHEPESCOW" meaning a place of reeds and hay.The first trappers showed the Indians the value of the skins they caught. The traders moved in behind the trappers and explorers in their efforts to obtain these valuable skins and furs. The Hudson's Bay Company was active in Alberta after the first fort was established at Fort Edmonton and the North West Company was active at its fort at Fort Augustus, established in 1795. All furs were taken to the forts to be traded. It was not until after 1821 when the Hudson's Bay Company absorbed the North West Company that remote seasonal posts were established. 
The post at Athabasca was built in 1877. In these seasonal posts goods were shipped in and traded for furs which were baled and shipped out. When the trading was over, the traders departed and trappers arriving late had to travel to Fort Edmonton to trade. |
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