Trip 121 - September 10, 2016 (Saturday)

Fort St. James National Historic Site

Fort St. James, BC, Canada

Location: Town of Fort St. James, British Columbia - on Highway 27 North of Vanderhoof, about 2 hours driving time from Prince George.

Liked: Historical artefacts, chicken and ducks, very friendly staff.

Of note: Much of Fort St. James NHS is open seasonally (June - September).

Northern BC Backroad Mapbook (3rd edition) Fort St. James Coordinates: Page 25 (Fort St. James) A4.

Other Historic Sites Trip Reports: Quesnel Forks Historic Site, Barkerville National Historic Site, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.

Another Trip in Fort St. James Area: Mount Pope Trail Hike.

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Fort St. James National Historic Site features several buildings filled with artefacts pertaining to the era when Europeans and Aboriginals exchanged goods for furs to the mutual benefit. This trading post was established in 1806, and is restored to its condition as of 1896, when Alexander Murray was the manager. We have visited closer to the end of the season, and there were very few other people. Which meant we have received a whole lot of attention from the awesome staff - this may or may not be what you desire, but the staff have the keys to the houses with artefacts, so you will have to rely on your guides to show you what's inside. The outside, though, is fine too - the views are quite good. The price of admission is humane, and you get to check out lots of resident chicken, a few ducks, some goats, and even a horse.

1. To get to Fort St. James, turn North from Highway 16 onto Highway 27 just West of Vanderhoof, which, in turn, is about an hour West of Prince George. Here we are already on Highway 27 en route to Fort St. James.

BC Highway 27 North

2. Slightly over 50 kilometers after turning from Highway 16, we are in Fort St. James.

BC Highway 27 North at Fort St. James city sign

3. Then, just follow the signs to the National Historic Site.

Fort St. James BC Canada

4. Here is the parking lot. Coordinates: N 54⁰26.351' W 124⁰15.325'. Elevation: 687 meters.

Parking Lot for Fort St. James National Historic Site

5. Closer to the entrance.

Fort St. James National Historic Site Entrance

6. A general map of the place.

Map of Fort St. James National Historic Site

7. A more detailed map of the place.

Map of Fort St. James Historic Site

8. What this is all about.

Fort St. James Historic Site Information

9. There is a small exhibit area just past the entrance, next to the cashier and a small gift shop.

Fort St. James Historic Site British Columbia Canada

10. A pensive moose greets the exhibit area visitors.

Moose Head

11. A sturgeon swims in a tank.

Sturgeon

12. The best part is the photographs of real people who lived in and visited the houses you are about to enter. Alexander Murray was a manager of Fort St. James trading post.