Near Vermilion Crossing in East Kootenay, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)
Sir George Simpson
1792-1860
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 2022
1. Sir George Simpson Marker
Born in the Scottish Highlands, Simpson joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1820. In 1821 he became governor of the Northern Department, and in 1826 governor-in-chief in Rupert's Land. An energetic administrator with a passion for detail, Simpson dominated the North American fur trade for almost forty years. Under his direction the Company took a lead in exploration, and he personally travelled widely in the Company's territories. From 1833 till his death, he made his headquarters in Lachine and played a prominent role in the business life of Montreal.
Né en Écosse, Simpson entra à la Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson en 1820. Il devient gouverneur du département du Nord en 1821 et gouverneur en chef de la Terre de Rupert en 1826. Administrateur énergique et minutieux, il dirigea le commerce des fourrures en Amérique du Nord pendant environ une quarantaine d’années. Sous sa direction, la Compagnie prit les devants en matière d'exploration et il a voyagea lui-même beaucoup dans le territoire de la Compagnie. A partir de 1833, il établit son quartier général à Lachine et joue un
this page online
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.
Location. 50° 58.327′ N, 115° 56.841′ W. Marker is near Vermilion Crossing, British Columbia, in East Kootenay. Marker is on Kootenay Highway (Provincial Highway 93) 0.7 kilometers south of Simpson River Trailhead, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out on the east side of the highway, about 57 kilometers north of Radium Hot Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vermilion Crossing BC V0A 1E0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Also see . . .
1. Sir George Simpson.
Simpson spent his first winter with HBC on Lake Athabasca in uneasy competition with the Nor'Westers. When the 2 companies amalgamated in 1821, Simpson was made governor of the large Northern Department, and 5 years later governor of the company's trading territories in British North America. He held this position until his death. He was a director of the North Shore Railway Company, Montréal, and of(Submitted on July 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the Champlain Railroad, and he was on the Montréal board of the Bank of British North America. He published his ghostwritten travels, Narrative of a Journey Round the World, During the Years 1841 and 1842, and was knighted in 1841 for his contribution to Arctic discoveries.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 20222. Sir George Simpson Marker(looking east from BC Highway 93 • Kootenay River in background)
2. Sir George Simpson.
From 1820 to 1860, he was in practice, if not in law, the British viceroy for the whole of Rupert's Land, an enormous territory of 3.9 million square kilometers in northern North America. He was noted for his grasp of administrative detail and his physical stamina in traveling through the wilderness. Excepting voyageurs and their Siberian equivalents, few men have spent as much time traveling in the wilderness. Simpson was the first person known to have circumnavigated the world by land.(Submitted on July 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Sir George Simpson.
Simpson was one of the principal architects of the HBC monopoly which came to dominate the North American fur trade in the 19th century. He was a controversial figure, sometimes ruthless, sometimes unscrupulous. On one aspect of his character, however, there is unanimity: he served the HBC with great ability and with consummate(Submitted on July 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)devotion, and he stands as one of the great business leaders of his day.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 2, 20223. Kootenay River / Simpson River Confluence(looking northeast from near marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
