Fort Fork/Mackenzie Cairn

Paddling furiously along the Peace River to beat freeze up, Alexander Mackenzie and his crew must have been very glad to reach the area where Fort Fork was to be built and where they were able to find shelter from the coming winter weather.  Soon after his arrival Mackenzie observed “the river stopped” indicating freeze up had arrived!  Mackenzie, a Scottish born explorer and fur trader was to spend the winter of 1792 – 93 at Fort Fork before continuing on his famed journey to the Pacific Ocean.  Fort Fork was named for its close proximity to the convergence of the Smoky and Peace Rivers.  The fort provided shelter for Mackenzie and several years later the explorer – geographer David Thompson.  The fort was also the main North West Company post in the Peace Country until 1806 when its operations were moved to Fort Dunvegan.  Stones from an original chimney in the fort have been preserved and fashioned into a fireplace for the public to view at the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre.   

Mackenzie Cairn, a National Historic site since 1929, was built to commemorate Fort Fork and marks the spot where visitors can look across the river to the approximate area of Fort Fork which has long since been erased by the ravages of time and river erosion.  Mackenzie Cairn is found a short distance from the Town of Peace River, along the Shaftsbury Trail.