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North Central Edmonton in Edmonton Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
 

John Rowand

1787-1854

 
 
John Rowand Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2022
1. John Rowand Marker
Inscription.  
[English] Partner in the North West Company, Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Rowand of Fort Edmonton was reputed to be "the most influential white man among the wild tribes of the plains". Admired for his courage and integrity, he was a powerful force in keeping the piece in this region, where he spent most of his life.

[Français] Associé de la Compagnie du Nord-Ouest et agent principal de la Compagnie de la Baie d'Hudson, Rowand avait la réputation d’être « l'homme blanc le plus influent auprès des tribus des plaines ». Admiré pour son courage et sa probité, il a contribué dans une large mesure au maintien de l’ordre dans la région, où il a passa la majeure partie de sa vie.
 
Erected 1963 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: Colonial EraForts and CastlesIndigenous Peoples and Communities
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Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.
 
Location. 53° 31.919′ N, 113° 30.402′ W. Marker is in Edmonton, Alberta, in Edmonton Metropolitan Region. It is in North Central Edmonton. It can be reached from Fortway Drive Northwest just east of Legislature Building Road Northwest, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located beside the walkway on the east side of the Royal Lawn Bowling Club and the south side of the Alberta Legislature Grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edmonton AB T5K 2C1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The High Level Bridge (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Creation of the Province of Alberta / Création de la province d'Alberta (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Strathcona Public Library (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Low Level Bridge (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); Fire Hall No. 6 (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); Strathcona Fire Hall Number 1 (approx. 1.6 kilometers away); St. Luke's Anglican Church (approx.
John Rowand Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2022
2. John Rowand Marker
(looking west • Royal Lawn Bowling Club in background)
3.3 kilometers away); Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw Trail / Beaver Hill Road Trail (approx. 8.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edmonton.
 
Also see . . .
1. John Rowand.
In 1823, Rowand started his first of three appointments, totaling nearly 17 years, as the chief factor at Fort Edmonton, making him answerable only to Governor Simpson or the HBC's London committee. Rowand's fort was positioned on one of the best means of transportation across the continent at the time: the North Saskatchewan River. In the early years of Rowand's administration, overland routes to northern posts such as Fort Assiniboine were made, and Edmonton became a central hub for furs to be shipped.
(Submitted on April 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 

2. John Rowand.
John Rowand became a partner of the North West Company in 1820. After the NWC merged with its rival, the Hudson’s Bay Company, in 1821, Rowand became chief trader for the HBC, managing Fort Edmonton’s food and fur trade. In 1823, he gained command of the HBC’s Saskatchewan district, which was headquartered at Fort Edmonton.
(Submitted on April 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 

3. History Matters: The saga of John Rowand's bones
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.
In May 1854, Hudson’s Bay Company chief factor John Rowand left Fort Edmonton with the annual spring Saskatchewan brigade. Rowand planned to attend the annual council meeting at Norway House in June, say his goodbyes to old friends in the trade, and then push on to Montreal and retirement. But during a stopover at Fort Pitt, Rowand died from an apparent heart attack. So began one of the most bizarre sagas — at least, for his bones — in fur trade history...
(Submitted on April 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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Jun. 30, 2026