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In the mid 1970s the Fort Fork archaeological site was the subject of an emergency excavation as it was eroding into the Peace River. Nearly 400 artifacts were recovered from the site. The collection consisted primarily of metal, stone and wood items such as tools, beads and musket balls. A number of these artifacts, as depicted here, are on display at the Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre in Peace River.

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Artifacts recovered the Fort Fork archaeological site.
Circa 1792-1805
Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre

Credits:
Beth Wilkins photographic collection.

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The best known artifact found at Alexander Mackenzie's Fort Fork is the tin lantern shown here. It is made of sheets of tin which have an embossed pattern on them. The user would place a candle inside to create light. The lantern is currently housed in the Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre.

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A tin lantern from the Fort Fork archaeological site.
Late 18th century/early 19th century
Fort Fork, Peace River, Alberta

Credits:
Beth Wilkins photographic collection.

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When the site of Alexander Mackenzie's Fort Fork was re-discovered in the 1920s it was heavily overgrown with only the stone structures remaining. Added to this was substantial erosion of the site by the waters of the Peace River. One of the stone fireplaces has been relocated (due to soil erosion) to the Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre.

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A fallen fireplace on the site of Fort Fork.
1920s
On the Peace River

Credits:
PRMA/MC 77.705.001

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When Fort Fork was excavated in the 1970s one structure that was salvaged was a stone fireplace. The decision was made to relocate the fireplace to the grounds of the Peace River Centennial Museum & Archives and rebuild it there. Currently (2008) it is now housed inside the museum in a new gallery devoted to the fur trade.

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The Reconstruction of the Fort Fork Chimney on the Grounds of the Peace River Centennial Museum.
circa 1970s
Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre

Credits:
PRMA/MC 78.939.002

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Each building erected as part of Fort Fork in 1792 would have had a fireplace for heat and/or cooking. When the site was abandoned in 1895 the wooden buildings disappeared rapidly leaving only stone structures such as fireplaces.

In the mid 1970s Fort Fork was excavated and one of the features removed was the fireplace depicted here. Originally rebuilt on the grounds of the Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre the fireplace was recently moved into a new gallery devoted to the history of the fur trade. Visitors can also view artifacts from the site as well as examine drawings and a model of the post.

The two prints hanging above the fireplace in the photograph are of Alexander Mackenzie, the North West Company trader and explorer.

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Fort Fork fireplace at the Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre.
Circa 1792-1805
Peace River Museum & Archives/Mackenzie Centre

Credits:
Beth Wilkins photographic collection

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This portion of a Dominion Land Survey map of Peace River Crossing shows the buildings standing near where the original Main Street meets the banks of the Peace River. On either side of the street are the buildings of the Hudson's Bay Company. On the north side of the street (left) one can see the Anglican Church, described as the "English Church" on the map.

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The west end of Main Street in Peace River Crossing.
20 August 1912
Peace River Crossing, Alberta

Credits:
PRMA/MC 82.1271.2

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It could be argued that the most important event in the development of Peace River Crossing was the decision of the Hudson's Bay Company to return to the area near the junction of the Peace and Smoky Rivers. While the Company had been in the area in the early 19th century it had used Fort Dunvegan as their major post after 1821. In 1879 the Company established a post on the banks of the Peace River where Pat's Creek flows into the river. It was called Peace River Landing, a name that is still found on modern survey drawings.

The post consisted of a store (to be relocated onto Main Street), warehouses, staff housing and a landing area on the river. The post was to be a retail operation and a warehouse for its operations in the central Peace River area.

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The Hudson's Bay Company buildings at Peace River Crossing.
Late 19th century
Peace River Crossing, Alberta

Credits:
Provincial Archives of Alberta B.2819