Historic North West River
North West River, formerly known as Fort Smith, has over 250 years of history. Established in 1743 as a year round trading post by French fur trader Louis Fornel, it was taken over, along with the rest of New France by the English in 1763. Settlement began in 1785, 10 years after Captain George Cartwright began fishing and trading south of Hamilton Inlet. The Hudson's Bay Company established two main trading posts in 1836 in Rigolet; and in North West River. After buying out competing fur traders, they established a trade monopoly that lasted for the next 100 years.
Donald A. Smith, later Lord Strathcona, operated the North West River trading post between 1848 and 1860. He expanded the number of trading posts and proved the viability of raising vegetables and livestock in North West River. This prompted settlers to do the same and many began harvesting crops of potatoes, turnips and other hardy vegetables.
Donald A. Smith, later Lord Strathcona, operated the North West River trading post between 1848 and 1860. He expanded the number of trading posts and proved the viability of raising vegetables and livestock in North West River. This prompted settlers to do the same and many began harvesting crops of potatoes, turnips and other hardy vegetables.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, North West River was the starting point for exploration of the Labrador interior. A.P. Low of the Geological Survey of Canada spent many months in North West River during his expeditions between 1893 and 1896.
In 1903 Leonidas Hubbard, an editor for a New York outdoors magazine, began his expedition into the interior waterways of Labrador from North West River. His ill fated trip with companion Dillon Wallace became the subject of several books and articles and brought international attention to Labrador and its people. In 1905 Mina Benson Hubbard (widow of Leonidas Hubbard) came to North West River to complete her husband's trek.
In 1903 Leonidas Hubbard, an editor for a New York outdoors magazine, began his expedition into the interior waterways of Labrador from North West River. His ill fated trip with companion Dillon Wallace became the subject of several books and articles and brought international attention to Labrador and its people. In 1905 Mina Benson Hubbard (widow of Leonidas Hubbard) came to North West River to complete her husband's trek.
The early 20th century also saw the establishment of organized health care for Labrador. Sir Wilfred Grenfell, an English doctor, set up hospitals, nursing stations and boarding schools all along the coast. Dr. Grenfell was able to attract other doctors and nurses to come to Labrador to help with his efforts. In 1915, after having run the IGA hospital at Battle Harbour, Dr. Harry Paddon established a cottage hospital in North West River. Over the years, this hospital grew to become one of the main centres for health care for the Labrador coast and along with a new boarding school and the expansion of the Hudson's Bay Company, helped North West River to become a thriving community.
The later half of the twentieth century saw the establishment of an air base at nearby Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This created employment for many local people and an influx of people moving from coastal communities to the North West River/Happy Valley-Goose Bay region. North West River has remained small in size, but its history has made it one of Labrador's most interesting communities.
The later half of the twentieth century saw the establishment of an air base at nearby Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This created employment for many local people and an influx of people moving from coastal communities to the North West River/Happy Valley-Goose Bay region. North West River has remained small in size, but its history has made it one of Labrador's most interesting communities.
Read more about North West River at the Town of North West River website.
