Lewiston in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Mackenzie's Post

Early in September 1812, Donald Mackenzie set up a fur trade post near here

— for John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company —

Mackenzie's Post Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016

1. Mackenzie's Post Marker

Inscription. 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 Astor’s venture had failed and was about to be sold to the North West Company of Montreal. “Perpetual Motion” Mackenzie, who once had been a Nor’wester, 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. Marker is on U.S. 95, 3 miles south of Old Spiral Highway, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in a pull-out overlooking the city of Lewiston, and the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewiston ID 83501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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);

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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); The Early Years in Nez Perce County (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewiston.

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. McKenzie’s 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

Mackenzie's Post Marker (<i>wide view with Lewiston in the background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016

2. Mackenzie's Post Marker (wide view with Lewiston in the background)

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.)

Mackenzie's Post Marker (<i>wide view showing adjacent markers</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 12, 2016

3. Mackenzie's Post Marker (wide view showing adjacent markers)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 43 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.