Fort Frances in Rainy River District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Explore Fort Frances Central
| | Discover Fort Frances | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2024
1. Explore Fort Frances Central Marker
The Frances in the Fort
Traveling on her honeymoon with her husband Sir George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, Frances Simpson describes the fort in her diary, 1830; The rain fell in torrents all night, and until 9 A.M. today: we however were afloat again at 12 P.M. Breakfasted at 8 O'clock on an Island in Lac la Pluie, and almost immediately after we re-embarked, our canoe struck a rock....
The Establishment is delightfully situated, on the East bank of the river, overlooking a beautiful Waterfall to the South, also the American Post, on the opposite side, and a long reach of this noble Stream to the North...
Frances Simpson
Other Sites to Visit
• Lac La Pluie House (1818-1903) Ontario Heritage Plaque 145 Third Street West Central Fort Frances
• Lady Frances Columbarium Hudson Bay Company Re-Interment Marker Fort Frances Cemetery Third Street West Central Fort Frances
• Fort Frances Museum 259 Scott Street, Fort Frances on the Great Canadian Main Street Downtown District, central Fort Frances
And travel the LaVerendrye Parkway along the Rainy River, Central Fort Frances.
Visit the Ontario Travel Information Centre at Central Avenue and Church Street, central Fort Frances.
this page online
[background image caption] Rainy River Fall, Fort Frances, ca. 1857 by William Henry Edward Napier.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 48° 36.662′ N, 93° 22.134′ W. Marker is in Fort Frances, Ontario, in Rainy River District. It is at the intersection of Agamiing Drive (Trans Canada Highway) (Provincial Highway 11) and 1st Street East, on the right when traveling north on Agamiing Drive (Trans Canada Highway). The marker is near the southeast corner of a picnic shelter overlooking the Rainy River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Frances ON P9A 1M2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Ontario and specifically in Northwest Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,
Hudsons Bay Company Archives
2. Lady Frances Ramsay Simpson
Miniature portrait of Lady Frances Simpson, wife of Governor George Simpson.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pelts, Paddles and Portages (here, next to this marker); Establishing the Fur Trade (here, next to this marker); Explore Fort Frances East (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Pelts, Paddles and Portages (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Fur Trade Competition (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named Pelts, Paddles and Portages (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Explore Fort Frances West (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Forest to Wood Yard (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Frances.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Frances Ramsay Simpson (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).
Excerpt: Frances Ramsay Simpson, the daughter of a successful London merchant, was brought up with all the accomplishments and graces expected of a Victorian lady. In 1830 her middle-aged cousin George Simpson, governor of the Hudsons Bay Company in North America, visited(Submitted on September 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the Simpson household while on furlough and was so captivated by the sweet nature and genteel talents of the 18-year-old Frances that he quickly married her without much consideration as to whether one so young and delicate could successfully adapt to life in Ruperts Land. After a brief honeymoon the governor and his bride sailed from Liverpool on 8 March for North America.
3. Marker detail: Fort Frances CentralThe central area of Fort Frances was Hudons Bay Company Reserve and included farming areas. The Town of Fort Frances grew around the post and falls.
2. Frances Ramsay Simpson (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: She travelled to York Factory and recorded the details of that voyage in her diary. The fur trading post on Rainy Lake was renamed Fort Frances in her honour. Her health deteriorated during her first pregnancy in 1831 and her son died the following year. She returned to London in 1833 to recover but her health continued to decline during three subsequent pregnancies. Simpson had another son in June 1850 and died in Lachine three years later.(Submitted on September 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 17, 2024
4. Explore Fort Frances Central Marker
Looking south along the Rainy River. This marker is near the southeast corner of the picnic shelter.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
