Portage La Biche and Portions of the Lac La Biche Trail

Lac La Biche, Near

Street Address:
Community:	Lac La Biche, Near
Boundaries:
Contributing Resources:	N/A

ATS Legal Description:

Mer	Rge	Twp	Sec	LSD

PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):

Plan	Block	Lot	Parcel

Latitude/Longitude:

Latitude	Longitude	CDT	Datum Type

UTM Reference:

Northing	Easting	Zone	CDT	Datum Type

Recognition

Recognition Authority:	Province of Alberta
Designation Status:	Provincial Historic Resource
Date of Designation:	1993/10/19

Historical Information

Built:	1798 to 1798
Period of Significance:	N/A
Theme(s):
Historic Function(s):	Transport - Land : Portage Transport - Land : Traditional Trail or Trading Route
Current Function(s):
Architect:
Builder:
Context:	HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE It has been said Lac La Biche once stood at the crossroads of Western Canada's history. The discovery of Portage La Biche by David Thompson in 1798 when he established Red Deers Lake House for the North West Company at Lac La Biche initiated the use of the Beaver River as a main fur trade route. This regularly traveled route was used by the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company to ship freight and express to their respective posts at Lac La Biche, Lesser Slave Lake and on the upper Peace and Athabasca Rivers during their intense rivalry. The Portage linked the eastward flowing water of the Beaver, Churchill and Saskatchewan Rivers to the northward flowing waters of the La Biche, Athabasca and Mackenzie Rivers. The discovery of the Athabasca Pass in 1811 brought this route into prominence as a passage to the Pacific even though this route was known for being prone to low water levels. It was safe and direct. In 1825, Governor George Simpson of the Hudson's Bay Company ordered that the route be abandoned in favour of the Saskatchewan River/Fort Assiniboine Trail. For 14 years Portage La Biche was part of the first coast to coast water highway which bridged the northern half of the continent. (Site Information Summary)

Additional Information

Object Number:	4665-0271
Designation File:	DES 1774
Related Listing(s):
Heritage Survey File:	HS 81396
Website Link:
Data Source:	Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1774)