Fort Bourbon

Fort Bourbon
Between the Grand Rapids, Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, on the northern shore of the Saskatchewan or White River
Built	1741
In use	1741-
Controlled by	France, United Kingdom, Canada

Fort Bourbon was one of the important northern forts that La Vérendrye had built during his long tenure as commandant of the western forts of New France. This was during the earliest exploration of the northwest of North America. Besides providing support for the important fur trade in what is now Manitoba, La Vérendrye wanted to conduct exploration of potential routes for what he believed was an interior western sea.

The youngest La Vérendrye son, Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vérendrye, led an initial exploration to the area in 1737. An epidemic of smallpox thwarted the mission. In 1740 Louis-Joseph had a successful trip exploring the Saskatchewan River to a short distance west of Cedar Lake and mapping the site for the first Fort Paskoya at the west end of Cedar Lake.

On his return toward Lake Winnipeg, he mapped the area and established a site for the first Fort Bourbon. The map of 1740 indicated a site between the Grand Rapids and Lake Winnipeg, on the northern shore of the Saskatchewan or White River. In 1741, La Vérendrye father sent an expedition of men to establish the fort.

A second Fort Bourbon was established west of the original one a short time later.

External links

• Manitoba Historical Society - Names and Places
• Manitoba Historical Society - Grand Rapids