Lewiston in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Mackenzie's Post
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016
1. Mackenzie's Post Marker
Early in September 1812, Donald Mackenzie set up a fur trade post near here for John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company.
Disappointed to find that beaver were unavailable in this area, he built only a store and two houses out of driftwood. Then the War of 1812 and Indian trouble tangled his plans; in May 1813 he abandoned this site, since Astors venture had failed and was about to be sold to the North West Company of Montreal. Perpetual Motion Mackenzie, who once had been a Norwester, rejoined the Canadians in 1816 and finally organized the Snake country fur trade.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society & Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 176.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 46° 27.697′ N, 116° 59.524′ W. Marker is in Lewiston, Idaho, in Nez Perce County. It is on U.S. 95 3 miles south of Old Spiral Highway, on the right when traveling south. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho Idahos Panhandle and in the Palouse. It is also in the American Mountain West, specifically in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lewis Clark State College (here, next to this marker); The First Capital (here, next to this marker); Bert Zimmerly (approx. 1.1 miles away); Steamboats (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lewiston Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); 18th St. Bridge (approx. 3 miles away); John Silcott (approx. 3 miles away); Site of Luna House (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewiston.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Early Years in Nez Perce County (was approx. 3.2 miles away but has been permanently
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016
2. Mackenzie's Post Marker (wide view with Lewiston in the background)
More about this marker. Large wooden marker in good condition
Also see . . . Donald McKenzie (3/2/1783 - 1/20/1851).
Born in Scotland, McKenzie emigrated to Canada about 1800. In 1810, he became a partner in the Pacific Fur Company (PFC), financed by John Jacob Astor. McKenzie traveled west from St. Louis, Missouri with an expedition of fellow PFC employees to the Pacific Northwest. The group experienced hard times in southern Idaho, and divided. McKenzies fraction consisted of twelve total and struck north, eventually found the Salmon River and Clearwater River. They proceeded down the lower Snake River and Columbia River by canoe, and were the first of the Overland Astorians to reach Fort Astoria, on January 18, 1812. McKenzie spent two years exploring and trading for the Pacific Fur Company in the Willamette Valley, along the Columbia River, in eastern Washington and northern and central Idaho. (Submitted on December 28, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016
3. Mackenzie's Post Marker (wide view showing adjacent markers)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,111 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
