- Jacques de Noyon was the first explorer to reach Rainy Lake in the late 1600's (Ref. 2, p 7). He wintered on the "Ouchichiq River" which is probably the Rainy River (Ref. 4, p 6). It is beleived that he built a fort on the south side somewhere between International Falls and Rainier, MN. (Ref. 14).
- Starting in 1731, La Verendrye traveled from Lake Superior via Grand Portage thru Rainy Lake to beyond Lake Winnipeg and the Red River (Ref. 2, p 7). He "discovered" the Indians' route that was easier than the de Noyon route. La Verendrye route was used until 1803 when the de Noyon route was the principle route used by the North West company. (Ref. 1, p 76)
- La Verendrye’s nephew established Fort Pierre on Rainy Lake in 1731. (Ref. 2, p 7). Fort Pierre was located at the outlet of the Rainy River. A fort remained in use there without break until about 1900 (Ref. 4, p 20). The restored historic site of Fort St. Pierre is located on Prithers Point in Fort Frances.
- La Verendrye arrived at Ft. St. Pierre in July 1732. He continued west on the Rainy River July 19, 1732. (Ref. 16, p 140).
- Fort Lac La Pluie is the site where the ‘Winters’ met the pork-eaters to exchange goods. This was required to enable those wintering in the Lake Athabasca area to make the round trip in one year before the lakes/rivers froze. (Ref. 1, p 80) The approximate site of the fort is marked by a plaque at the west end of Ft. Frances near the foot of Fairies Ave. The plaque reads “Fort Lac La Pluie or Rainy Lake House. Erected on or near this site sometime between 1775 and 1787 by the Northwest Company, and abandoned in 1821 with the union with Hudson’s Bay Company. The establishment included ‘Athabaska House’, the depot where owing to the distances to be covered during the short traveling season, the traders from Montreal met those for the Athabaska Country and exchanged lading with them.” (Ref. 15)
- Fort La Pluie was described as a large one. It contained the Athabasca House, several houses, a stable and an ice house. There were gardens at the fort and they used domestic animals. In 1804 there were about 40 men stationed there. (Ref. 11, p 192)
- Alexander Mackinzie was instrumental in establishing Fort Lac La Pluie. With this fort, voyageurs could leave Athabasca in late May and reach Rainy Lake by August 1st. Turning around immediately, they could reach Athabasca before the ice formed. (Ref. 9)
- The American Fur Company had a post on Rainy Lake around 1825. (Ref. 4, p 8)
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