This page will cover the exploration by the North West Company traders and those of the Hudson Bay Company from their base forts near the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in Manitoba westward into the expanse known as the Canadian Prairies. The following paragraph is a quick peek and very brief description of Fort a' la Corne.

The Saskatchewan Forks: One of the many exciting locations we visited was a site in Saskatchewan referred to as the Forks. This is the junction of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers which join to form the Saskatchewan River. The Forks are located some 20 miles east of Prince Albert. This was the site of a North West Company trading post named Fort a' la Corne. A brief view of the area can been seen by clicking on Fort a' la Corne.

Canadian Prairie Forts - to be described - on the maps the towns mentioned are marked as a red star

Driving tours to prairie forts and sites to be described: Fort Livingston - ( photo 1) and Fort Pelly (- photo 2) Pelly, Saskatchewan) ; Fort Ellis-(photos 1, 2) St. Lazare, Manitoba ( photo 1; 2 ); Brandon House (photo 1, the three sites, Shilo, Manitoba); the conjunction of the Souris and Assissboine ( photo 1, 2) Wawanesa, Manitoba. From Wawanesa north on Hyw #340 one can reach the Brandon House sites just south of Shilo; Fort des Epinettes (Pine Fort) (Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Carberry, Manitoba- photo 1); Fort La Reine (Portage La Prairie, Manitoba) photo 1, 2 ); and the Forts of the Forks of the Assiniboine and Red River - featuring Lower Fort Garry (Winnipeg,Manitoba-photo 1). In addition sites on the Qu'Appelle river will include Fort Esperance (photo 1 ) (Rocanville, Saskatchewan) just north and west of the potash mine on Route 600 and Fort Qu'Appelle (Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan and an the North Saskatchewan river, Fort Carlton (photo 1) (Duck Lake, Saskatchewan).

Many of the sites are on ideal or reasonable roads; the country side is extremely beautiful especially in the fall; accommodations easily at hand; and in some locations the local cuisine is excellent (see Miscellany page).

Maps from Yahoo of the various locations cited above:

Pelly, Saskatchewan and adjacent areas

St. Lazare, Manitoba and adjacent area

Wawanesa, Manitoba and adjacent areas

This page is currently under construction, additions will appear shortly, keep checking back!