Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada

In 1731, the Hudson Bay Company commissioned the building of a massive stone fortress called the Prince of Wales Fort on a rocky peninsula known as Eskimo Point. The HBC hoped that this fort, situated at the mouth of the Churchill River with forty-two cannon and 40 foot thick walls, would provide refuge for the company ships in times of war with France. Prince of Wales Fort, however, was ultimately destroyed by the French after surrendering without firing a shot in 1782. The Fort was declared a National Historic Site in 1929 and reconstructed in the 1930s and 50s. A modern rehabilitation project was initiated by Parks Canada in the late 90s and continues today. Prince of Wales Fort tours are available from North Star Tours, Lazy Bear Lodge and Parks Canada.