The Jesuits Of St. Simeon's

Fort William a history treasure chest
Ottawa Riverkeepers takes a healing journey
A group of outdoor enthusiasts working to protect the ecological health of the Ottawa River spent the night at the historic outpost at Fort William, Quebec. Ottawa Riverkeepers' Healing Journey departed Point Alexander recently to make a 50- kilometre journey downstream to Westmeath.

Setting up camp on the shores of the Ottawa, the group of 30 canoeists were treated to a walking tour of the former Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post. "It's linked to the historical youth of the river," said Joann McCann, of Old Fort William Cottagers' Association.

"It had fur traders, lumbering, steam boats." Appearing in late 19th century period dress, Ms. McCann greeted the group at the Hotel Pontiac. During the entire tour, she played the role of Kate Perrault, a local girl who was educated by governess and later attended school in Pembroke and Kingston. She is assisted in retelling the fort's past by Chris Cavan, who plays her sister, Harriett. Both sisters worked at the Stopping House tavern. Strolling out of the hotel, Ms. McCann tells the group it was originally built to accommodate steamship passengers and once was three times its current size with 60 rooms. It's most famous guest was Canadian Hollywood actress Mary Pickford. However, the hotel was popular destination for such steamships as the "Pontiac", "Oiseau" and "Princess", and some wealthy passengers would shuttle over from Pembroke to spend the evening here. "During the 1920s, they'd have their parasols and fancy dresses and they'd come over for dinner and then stroll on the boardwalk," remarked Ms. McCann as she waved her hand towards the beach. In 1823, the Hudson's Bay Company established the fort as a trading post under the leadership of John Maclean. It soon diversified to servicing the growing lumber industry.

It is named after William McGillvery, who was the fort's first postmaster. In addition to the hotel, many of the original buildings still stand including the clerk's house and the chief factor's house, both built in 1846, the blacksmith shop and a church.

The foundation for the original store, laid in 1852, remains although the "Sale House" which acted as the store is now a brick building. Standing near the dock, Ms. McCann tells the group of the night the first store, a large log building, burned down. Apparently the store clerk, George McTavish, was resupplying a ship's crew. He was tipping a barrel of alcohol to fill up some bottles when a nearby candle ignited the mixture. It created an inferno that Ms. McCann described as "10 canons and three bombs going off." The stone shed behind the building did survive and contains the original brass hooks that use to hold fur pelts. The tour ends in the woods behind the shore where the historic St. Teresa of the Little Flower Chapel is tucked away.

Built in 1857 as St. Simeon's, it was established so Jesuit priests could administered the sacrament. The church, itself, has been well preserved and remains in pristine condition.

Ms. Cavan added Fort William is an amazing place because so much history can be found within a few kilometres of the location. She noted she's discovered 3,000- year-old stone, copper and bone tools and clay pipes once smoked by the early fur traders. "Fort William is a history treasure chest," she said. Ottawa Riverkeepers is an organization that brings people together to protect and promote the ecological health and diversity of the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

Link (here)

More pictures of St. Teresa the Little Flower Chapel (here)