The main building in the Fort was the Factor’s dwelling or the “big house,” as it was called. This was the quarters of the officers and clerks. It stood well back in the square, its front being in line with the end of the long rows of buildings on either side, so that every house in the Fort could be seen from its windows. The “big house” was a two and a-half storey building, with a large kitchen behind, built from the same plan as the officers’ dwellings in Fort Garry, and known as a Red River frame building.
It had a fine balcony and verandah. The main entrance was in the centre of the building opening into a large recreation and council hall.
Carrying supplies aboard an H.B.C. flatboat or scow on the Athabasca River. The scow has remained one of the principal links in the Company’s chain of transportation in this district where tumbling waters make steam or motor boat operation precarious.
The Factor’s private office was at the right, and the parlour or sitting-room to the left. The large mess-room, dining-room, and private bedrooms were in the rear. Upstairs was a large hall and reading-room, and bedrooms for the clerks. The upper floor was heated with large Carron stoves, as well as the hall downstairs, and the trading shop and district office.
There were four fire-places on the ground floor and another in the kitchen, as well as a large cooking range. A splendid mud oven stood outside for baking bread and cooking extra large roasts. There was also a fine well close at hand with the proverbial oaken bucket attached to a rope and chain. The “big house” and kitchen were thatched, and all the houses were mudded and white-washed with lime. They presented a good appearance from a distance.
A four foot sidewalk ran all around the square, and another one from the front gate to the front door of the “big house.” There was a nice vegetable, flower and kitchen garden of about an acre behind the house. The flagstaff stood at the front gate, and the belfry stood outside the Factor’s private office. While a high stockade enclosed the whole square, so when the big gates were locked at night there was no danger of losing any scalps before morning.
(To be continued)