History Browser

This fort was occupied by Colonel Wolseley’s Red River Expedition in late August 1870. (Library and Archives Canada, C-114461)

Neither the Hudson's Bay Company nor the North West Company kept a military presence in the Northwest Territories during the early nineteenth century. Although strong stone forts were built, there were no soldiers. Company employees manned the defences as necessary.

This is the men's barracks of the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment, as seen from the officer’s mess room window at Lower Fort Garry, during the winter of 1857-1858. Following incursions into Canadian territory by American troops, a company of this regiment was sent from Montreal in July 1857 via York Factory. It was at Fort Garry by early October and remained in garrison until 1861. Watercolour by the detachment's commander, Major George Seton. (Library and Archives Canada, C-001066)

From the early 19th century to the 1870s, Lower Fort Garry was the administrative and military centre of the Canadian Prairies. British troops were first stationed there during 1846-1848, at the time this illustration of the fort was made by H.J. Warre. (Library and Archives Canada, C-001629)